The Full Monty was a surprise sensation when it came out in 1997. The story, set in Sheffield, in Yorkshire England, was a humorous look at unemployment, relationships, depression and hope.
The surprise hit of the season received numerous awards, including awards from The Academy Awards, BAFTA, Bodil, SAG and MTV.
The Full Monty won an Oscar for Best Music. The film, directed by Peter Cattaneo, was also nominated for Academy Awards for Best PIcture, Best Writing and Best Director.
“The Full Monty” won a Screen Actors Guild Award for an Outstanding Performance by a Cast. The SAG Award was shared by actors: Mark Addy, Paul Barber, Robert Carlyle, Deidre Costello, Steve Huison, Bruce Jones, William Snape, Lesley Sharp, Hugo Speer, Tom Wilkinson and Emily Woof.
My late husband just loved “The Full Monty.” The comedy gave him some good laughs when he needed them. My husband had gone through a long illness and in his last few years, he spent a lot of time watching the television. The Full Monty cheered him up considerably. Many people would consider “The Full Monty” pure entertainment. Thanks to makers of “The Full Monty’ for the entertainment and the laughs. For us the movie was much more than entertainment.
The strangely uplifting movie was about six unemployed steel workers who gather to form a striptease act to earn a few quid.. Each man had a financial need, but each had a different motivation to tackle their problem by taking their clothes off.
“The Full Monty” is a British slang expression for “the whole thing.” In this movie the slang refers to stripping down to total nudity. In the movie the audience gets to see the frontal view of the six unemployed steel workers. Viewers on the silver screen only saw their backsides at the very end (no pun intended). The strip tease act was performed on stage to the music of Tom Jones, singing “You Can Leave Your Hat On.”
The ringleaders of this male strip tease act were Gaz, played by Robert Carlyle; and Dave, played by Mark Addy. The two buddies stumble upon a male Chippendales dance act when Mark is trying to spy on his wife in a bar. The trouble making pair of buddies decide to form their own group of male strippers. When some village women challenge them, asking why people would pay to see them after seeing the Chippendales, the men get goaded into promising The Full Monty. They promise to “go all the way” to offer that extra something in their act that the Chippendales didn’t reveal..
The movie is now over ten years old, and I began to wonder whatever became of the actors that played in the English strip-tease comedy. I hadn’t heard much about them, with the exception of Robert Carlyle and Tom Wilkenson. I wondered if the cast was still acting in England and with a bit of research, found that actors are still active at their acting careers. The British programs they are appearing in either don’t make it over to this side of the pond or I just haven’t noticed them.
Following is the cast of “The Full Monty” along with some of their recent projects.
Robert Carlyle as Gaz (Gary). Gaz was the lead character in The Full Monty. Gaz, always some what of a screw-up, organized the male strip tease act. The ringleader’s motivation was to earn 1000 quid to catch up on child support so he could continue seeing his son. Robert Carlyle was born in Scotland in 1961, is married and has three children. Mr. Carlyle has appeared in numerous films since The Full Monty, including Angela’s Ashes and as Hitler in Hitler: The Rise of Evil. Currently in production, or post production: The Meat Trade, I Know You Know, The Tournament and Stone of Destiny.
Mark Addy as Dave: Dave was the main sidekick to Gaz. Although the striptease was his idea originally, Gaz is the one who followed through on it. Mark Addy is living in the United Kingdom, He is married with one child. Mr. Addy starred as Fred Flintstone in “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.” Recent television series include “Still Standing,” “Bonkers,” and “Bike Squad.:
Tom Wilkenson as Gerald: Gerald was the boss at the Sheffield steel mill. Gerald got fired along with the workers, but was afraid to tell his overspending wife. Tom Wilkenson is a popular British character actor. Mr. Wilkenson has been in a number of films, including: Shakespeare in Love, In the Bedroom, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Thomas Wilkinson has been nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role for “In the Bedroom,” and Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for “Michael Clayton.”
William Snape as Nathan: Nathan was the son of Gaz, and the reason that Gaz needed to raise money. William Snape has appeared on British television, including “Heartbeat,” and “Holby City.
Steve Huison as Lomper. Lomper was one of the men in the striptease act. Lomper was depressed over his unemployement and tried to commit suicide, but was pulled out of his car by Dave. Steve Huison has appeared in British television programs, including “Heartbeat,” and “The Royal.”
Paul Barber as Horse: Horse was an older man but excellent dancer. Gaz assumed that his nickname meant that Horse was well endowed, which turned out not to be the case. Paul Barber has appeared in numerous television productions, including Liverpool Nativity and Dead Man’s Cards. Nineliveslondon is in production.
Lesley Sharp as Jean. Jean was the wife of Dave. Jean clearly adored her husband, although he was trying her patience with his shenanigans.
Lesley Sharp is an actress who has appeared on many British television programs, including an episode of the popular Helen Mirren detective series “Prime Suspect.” Ms. Sharp is in the upcoming movie, “Inkheart,” which stars Brendan Fraser.
Hugo Speer as Guy. Guy was the dim-witted but handsome stripper, distinguished by being over endowed. Hugo Speer has appeared in British television, including Echo Beach and Bleak House. Currently in production is “Carmen’s Kiss.”
Emily Woof as Mandy. Mandy was the ex-wife of Gaz. Emily Woof has appeared in several television programs, including Midsomer Murders, The Voice of Rape and Marple:Nemesis.
Bruce Jones as Reg:. Bruce Jones has appeared in television episodes, including: Coronation Street and Sooty & Co.
If you are looking for a light hearted comedy and laughter, pick up a DVD of The Full Monty.
Read Why You Should Visit London, England.
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Read Historic Sites in the United Kingdom.
