Talents

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“The Cousin” - Barry Hilton

BARRY HILTON, “The Cousin”, has reached international status as a stand-up comedian and many agree he is one of the top comedians South Africa has ever seen.
Hilton is an icon and - as many other comedians may agree - a role model in the entertainment industry. Performing his original brand of humour, his sell-out shows are proof of his popularity.
Say 'the cousin' and everybody knows exactly who you're talking about. Barry Hilton is a household name in South Africa and audiences love his irrepressible sense of humour!
He has the knack of taking every day situations and turning them into hilarious skits on stage. He entertains at the highest possible level without barbed prejudice, snide racism or crude language. A skilful, generous and engaging entertainer, Barry pulls out all the stops for appreciative audiences in South Africa and abroad.
He was the first South African stand-up comedian to perform at the prestigious London comedy club, The Comedy Store. So he’s obviously got the universal formula right!
With this phenomenal success it's no surprise that he's been in the business for 27 years.
Barry brings the houses down whenever he stands on stage. Without him even saying a word you laugh. As Barry puts it, "I don't work out a routine or anything like that, I just say the first thing that comes into my mind while I am on stage. I love talking nonsense."
His unique style of entertainment is also a real winner at corporate functions and events. He has also devised an exciting motivational concept for companies called “Laughter Factory” which shows employees how to bring more laughter into the workplace, and how success comes with laughter.
Barry is renowned not only for his comedy, but also for starring in commercials (really funny ones) and giving them a certain sense of South African-ness. “The Cousin” has also featured in several television shows, two movies and his work has been captured on DVD and CD. In short:
• Barry was born in Zimbabwe in 1956
• Lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
• Educated in the UK, Cape Town and Johannesburg
• Qualified as an electrician
• Turned Professional Comedian in 1983 at the age of 26
• Has five children (and another on the way)
• Has shared the stage with such comic greats as Billy Connoly, Bob Monkhouse, Bobby Davro and Les Dennis.
• Performs to public and corporate audiences in South Africa and abroad
• Firsts:
First SA comic to perform at Wild Coast Sun International (Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa 1985)
First SA comic to perform at Sun City Extravaganza Theatre (1986)
First SA comic to perform at Runway Bar (Johannesburg Club that catered for 95% British immigrants in the late 80’s early 90’s). He worked there for six months a year for 7 consecutive years).
First SA comic to perform at London's Comedy Store
• Only South African comedian that regularly sells out venues seating 4000 people and more with his one-man show
• Barry performs an average of 150 shows a year – this includes concerts and corporate events.
• Movies:
Finding Lenny (2009) and Outrageous (2010). Nominated for Best Actor at the Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood for his role as Lenny in Finding Lenny.
• DVDs:
Live and Switched On (1999)
Here we go again 2001 (awarded gold disk for sales exceeding 50,000)
Live at Emperors Palace 2005
Working Class Cousin 2008
• TV:
Hosted 13 episodes of the “Funny you should say that” chat show in 2003 and 13 episodes of the SABC2 gameshow "The Generation Game" in 2008.
Various Advertisements:
VW Fox
Spray and cook
Sunday Times (SA)
Nashua Printers
Savanna Ciders (every year since the start of the campaign in 1999)

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