“The stories I like telling the most are true stories from my life. I feel the audience can tell when it’s authentic when it’s really you.” – Monty Franklin
This hilarious hunk from down under is now on top as he makes his own scene in Los Angeles that’s worth watching!
Introducing Monty Franklin!
Monty Franklin is an Australian comedian, actor, and writer who left the laid-back Australian lifestyle of shrimps on the barbie and play dates with kangaroos to entertain audiences all over the U.S.
Currently residing in L.A., Monty’s mission to make audiences laugh has become a success after appearing on hit T.V shows like ‘New Girl‘ – FOX, and Rob Schneider’s T.V show on Netflix ‘Real Rob.’
Franklin is no stranger to performing live on stage with his stand-up comedy acts. He has performed at sold-out shows across Australia and America while working alongside some of comedy’s finest comedians.
I have not only had the pleasure of seeing Franklin live many years ago in Pasadena but also onboard an Australian cruise ship where I was working at the time.
It was then when a colleague and myself snuck into the back of the theatre where Monty was performing to a full house of laughter – while we quickly joined in like giggling schoolgirls – that I knew that this guy was the real deal. (or the Real Monty!)
Franklin was in no way to be typecast as this Australian humble hunk who also had really nice teeth! But a multi-talented and ambitious force that is now undoubtedly catching on in the U.S.
Curious to see what Monty was up to now, I decided to catch up with the down-to-earth comedian.
Interview with Monty Franklin:
Emmy: Monty, thanks for joining us here on woopdedo! Now you’re a comedian, storyteller, writer, actor, and producer currently living in L.A. What made you pack up the Australian lifestyle to move to L.A.? And what were the challenges at the beginning of your journey?
Monty: I reluctantly left my beautiful homeland of Australia seven years ago, but I did it in pursuit of bigger things. As much as I love Australia, our population is 10% of the U.S., so the scale on which you can do things here in America is much bigger.
I make no secret of it that I want to make movies. I want to make big productions, and I want to do that keeping my Australian sensibility. But I think in order to do it properly, you have to be in the belly of the beast, and Los Angeles is the epicenter of the beast’s belly.
Emmy: You created, produced and starred in the T.V. comedy pilot called ‘The Manny’ (which was hilarious by the way). I can imagine this was no easy task. What part of the artistic process did you find particularly challenging, and what was the most fulfilling part?
Monty: The hardest part was raising the money, which I now realize is the hardest part of any production. Once you have the money, the stress is less, the fun is ample, and the creativity can flow.
The most fulfilling part was creating and watching it grow. Watching it take form, watching the final product, and seeing how it was received. That seems a little broad, but definitely, the most fun part was the acting, and it’s particularly a lot of fun to be acting in comedy; it’s just silly!
Emmy: You starred in the infamous Rob Schneiders T.V sitcom ‘Real Rob’ playing ‘Homeless Ryan Gosling’ (which you pulled off suspiciously well.)You also collaborate with Schneider on other projects. What’s it like working together?
Monty: Rob has been a mentor and a friend for five years, and we do a lot of stuff together; stand up, writing, etc. It’s nice to have someone of his credibility in your corner, and he’s given me great opportunities like getting to play a homeless Ryan Gosling character which doesn’t come up a lot, and it’s outrageous and fun.
Emmy: While performing your live stand-ups, I’m sure anything can happen! What has been the craziest thing that has happened while you’ve been on stage?
Monty: I had a guy early in my career in Australia get on stage and try and fight me because his wife was yelling out during the show, and I made fun of her. I remember thinking, “Oh, this guy is going to beat the shit out of me in front of all these people”, because he was pretty big, but lucky for me, the security guards got to him before he got to me.
Emmy: Who are some of the comedy greats that have influenced your own work?
Monty: I like a lot of people. The greats like Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Eddie Murphy, Joe Rogan, Ellen DeGeneres, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, and the list goes on.
But the great thing is these people are at the clubs in L.A. They come and perform. I’ve seen them live, I’ve got to work with them live, and it’s an honor and a thrill.
My favorite comedians right now are Bill Burr, Sebastian Maniscalco and a few relatively unknown LA-based comedians that I know will be huge in a few years. Still, it’s really fun to watch them now honing their craft and working alongside them.
Emmy: Nice! Now, as a storyteller and comedian, what are the stories you are most interested in telling?
Monty: The stories I like telling the most are true stories from my life. I feel the audience can tell when it’s authentic when it’s really you; it’s really experiencing what you felt and gone through, and it’s fun to see their reaction. Things that have happened in my life, I craft through storytelling. It makes for some really crazy entertaining tales. I did a lot of stupid shit in my 20s.
Emmy: Monty, if your life was a sitcom, what would it be called?
Monty: Well, I did do a sitcom called the Manny, but I don’t necessarily think my life is like that. I don’t have any kids or look after any kids. I have cats, so maybe that would be what it would be called… Cat Manny!
I guess my essence is still very Australian. I’ve always been proud to have grown up in Australia, and I hold onto that quite closely, so maybe it would be something about an Australian trying to figure out the insanity of America.
Monty Franklin in the pilot ‘The Manny’.
Emmy: Now, if you were to go on a mandate with one of your fellow Australian actors, who would it be with?
1. Chris Hemsworth 2. Hugh Jackman 3. Mel Gibson or… 4. Russel Crowe
Monty: Hugh Jackman! I think he’s a great role model for all Australians. I met him once briefly, and he was kind enough to take the time to really make an effort. I think he’s talented, and to be honest, I’ve always felt like the kind of man I would like to be is that of Hugh Jackman. He seems like a good bloke, and that’s all you need to be really.
I must admit I am very envious of Chris Hemsworth, I know he surfs as I do, and he gets to surf with the best surfers in the world now, like Kelly Slater, and I’m very envious of that.
Emmy: And finally, what’s next for you Monty? Any inside scoop on your up-and-coming projects?
Monty: I’m making my first feature film in Australia in 2020. I wrote the movie with Rob Schneider, and we are both going to be in it. We have some really awesome people involved, and I’m really excited about it. I’m proud it’s an Australian story that the whole world can enjoy, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!
And that’s a wrap!
If you want a sneak peek of Monty live in action, check out one of our favorite Monty Franklin videos from the laugh factory below!
To get more inside scoops and laughter in your life, follow Monty Franklin on:
Thanks for checking out Monty Franklins interview! If you would like your talents featured here on woopdedo, or you know someone that deserves their story showcased, you can contact us through the work with us page for more details.
Emmy is the founder and content writer at woopdedo. With a background in the performing arts, she then had a career working on cruise ships, until she decided to return to NZ where she spends most of her time storytelling and freelance writing. You can contact her on the social media links below or visit the work with us page.
