'That's enough': Why Aussie comedian gave up his best role

With his signature drawl, straightforward nature and lack of care to pronounce his own name correctly, Col'n Carpenter became a favourite Aussies everywhere would love.

The brainchild of comedian Kym Gyngell, who began his career on the show that gave Col'n a platform, The Comedy Company, the national goofball would soon breach the show's four walls and lead to Gyngell finding international stardom. 

Col'n was always a low-risk gamble, said Gyngell, "needing no props or stage decorations", which is why he was perfect for the early days of The Comedy Company.

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"If it doesn't work, then it costs you nothing. There's no set board. Nothing's been painted," recalled Gyngell in a podcast interview.

"So we did a sketch and it turned out to be just the best on the pilot charter we did.

"I don't know why,  it just was funny. I remember that being really thrilling because I never watched… the work that I do.

"But occasionally, when you do make yourself laugh, that's an amazing experience."

Though Col'n became his "core clown" character – eventually even creating The Col'n Carpenter Show which went on for two series and 61 episodes – he decided to hang the character's hat up. 

"You just have to get to a point where you go, 'Well, that's enough of that'. Otherwise, I'm stuck as him forever," he said.

"I can't do him anymore. Otherwise I will just always be him."

Though the show was laid to rest,  it didn't stop Gyngell's penchant for comedy.

He continued to work on more sketch comedy shows such as Full Frontal with Eric Bana, Very Small Business, Pizza, and The Micallef Program, as well as sitcoms like All Together Now and Wedlocked before he set his sights on more dramatic roles. 

He appeared in shows such as Blue Heelers and SeaChange in 2000, The Secret Life of Us (2003), City Homicide (2007), Underbelly (2008), and countless more.

He has transitioned to becoming a staple actor in many Aussie TV shows such as in Upper Middle Bogan (2013), Rake (2016), Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018) and more, playing comparatively minor but impactful characters. 

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But his steadfastness paid off, having been cast in a role that saw him acting alongside Jackie Chan in the film Bleeding Steel (2017). 

He continues to nurture his acting career, with his latest role being in Black Snow (2023), and Crazy Funpark (2023), with the actor now starring in The Artful Dodger. 

Gyngell is now in his 70s and is married to Melinda Butel, with whom he has three sons. He also has a daughter from his first marriage.

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