Caroline Morahan

Caroline Morahan is an Irish actress and television host. She plays Queen Elinor in season 5 of the ABC series Once Upon a Time. She appears in the 2012 short films Howard Cantour.com, directed by Shia LaBeouf and I Can't See You Anymore directed by Michael Kinirons, and the feature film What About Love starring Sharon Stone and Andy Garcia. In 2011, Morahan appeared in the A&E Network TV pilot Big Mike, the movie Lionhead,^[2] and the theatre production Pity the Proud Ones^[3] at the Los Angeles Theatre Centre. She starred in the musical I, Keano and appeared in the 2010 Irish film A Kiss for Jed.^[4]

In 2009, Morahan was cast in the web fan series Doctor Who Alternate Empire on YouTube. The series grew a popular fan base and spawned three sequel episodes with the same cast. She has gone on to be cast as the same character, Samantha, in Alternate Empire audio adventures with the same Doctor, played by actor Julian Bane. She will also voice her character again in 2012 Second Life episodes, again alongside Julian Bane in the hit Second Life Doctor Who fan series produced by hardcore fans of the show.

She is a former presenter on TV fashion show Off the Rails on RTÉ One. She has hosted numerous television shows including The Fame Game, Chance to Dance, The Podge and Rodge Show and The IFTA's Red Carpet Show, and has been a celebrity judge on talent shows Class Act and It's My Show.

Early life

Caroline Morahan was enrolled at drama school at the age of four. She graduated from Dublin City University with a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies,^[5] earning first class honors for her photographic thesis. Her first professional acting role was that of Barbara Cleary in Fair City. During her university years she appeared in numerous short films and television pilots. Her television hosting career began in 2001 with The Fame Game.

Career

Morahan's interest in acting began at the age of four. She appeared in numerous theatre productions and was chosen to represent Ireland in the World Youth Theatre Festival. At the age of fifteen Morahan made her television debut in soap opera Fair City. She declined a three-year contract with the show, deciding instead to finish her schooling.

Upon graduation, her next television appearance saw her switch roles from actress to television host. In 2001, Morahan entered the reality TV series The Selection Box and was chosen from an open call of 2,000 to host The Fame Game.^[6] She hosted The Fame Game and Fame Game on the Run for five seasons. While still shooting the popular quiz show, she was approached to host the channel's flagship fashion programme Off the Rails. Morahan co-presented this programme with former Miss Ireland Pamela Flood from 2002 to 2007.

Morahan has guest hosted and appeared in a multitude of Irish television programmes, including The Panel, The Restaurant,^[7] The Late Late Show, Tubridy Tonight,^[8] Xposé,^[9] The Den, and The Health Squad.

In 2005, she hosted the popular dance reality show Chance to Dance.^[10] Also in 2005, she co-hosted, alongside British Big Brother winner Brian Dowling, the open-air concert O2 in the Park,^[11] in front of 100,000 people. In 2006, she guest-hosted daytime chat show The Afternoon Show, but decided against taking up the reins as full-time host.

Morahan left Off the Rails in 2007 to move back to acting. She was offered the female lead in the most successful Irish musical of all time, I, Keano. The show was a sell out which prompted a second run later in the year.^[12] In February 2008, Morahan hosted The IFTAs Red Carpet Show^[13] at the Irish Film and Television Awards, interviewing international luminaries such as Mel Gibson and Colin Farrell. She was a celebrity judge on Irish talent show Class Act.^[14]

A guest appearance on The Podge and Rodge Show prompted producers to offer Morahan the role of host. In 2009, she hosted the show alongside cult favourites Podge and Rodge.^[15] But she soon found herself exposed and vulnerable at RTÉ.^[16]

In summer 2009, Morahan moved to Los Angeles, California.^[8]

She acted in the film A Kiss for Jed Wood alongside Jayne Wisener. The film was inspired by Morahan's first hosting vehicle The Fame Game, where obsessed fans won the chance to meet their idol. It was released in 2010.

Morahan hosted The Cosmetic Surgery Show on TV3 in Spring 2010 along with Dr. Robert Rey, better known as Doctor 90210.^[17]

Morahan is the face of Littlewoods Ireland.^[18]

In May 2015 it was announced that Morahan would host the 12th Irish Film & Television Awards on 24 May in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin.^[19]

Filmography

Film

• Axis (2016)
• Mr. Thursday (2016)
• Lost & Found (2015)
• I Can't See You Anymore (2012)
• What About Love (2014)
• Howard Cantour.com (2012)
• Lionhead (2012)
• A Kiss for Jed Wood (2010)

Television

• Fir Bolg (2016)
• The Real O'Neals ABC (2016)
• Once Upon a Time ABC (2015) - Queen Elinor
• Big Mike (2011)
• The Cosmetic Surgery Show (2010)
• The Podge and Rodge Show (2008–2009)
• Winning Streak (2008) – charity special
• Class Act – (2008) - judge
• Telethon (2008) – guest host and sang for charity
• IFTAs Red Carpet Show (2008)
• It's My Show (2007, 2008) - judge
• The Afternoon Show (2007) – guest host
• Off the Rails (2002–2007)
• O2 in the Park (2005)
• Chance to Dance (2005)
• The Restaurant (2005)
• Karl Spain Wants a Woman (2005) - stylist
• The Health Squad (2004)
• The Panel (2003, 2005)
• Close Encounters with Keith Barry (2003) - participant
• Beyond the Hall Door (2003) – guest host
• Fame Game on the Run (2003)
• The Fame Game (2001–2003)
• Fair City (1992) - Barbara Cleary

Theatre

• Private Eyes (2016)
• The Weir (2015)
• She Stoops to Conquer (2014)^[20]
• Anglo: The Musical (2013)
• Pity the Proud Ones (2011)
• I, Keano (2008)

Web

• MSN Lifestyle - The Surf Report (2010) ^[21]
• Doctor Who - Alternate Empire (2009)^[22] - Samantha

Radio

• 2FM Breakfast Show (2008)

Personal life

In September 2012 she married Daithi Ó Caoimh in Tuscany, Italy.^[23]

Awards

Morahan has often been voted Ireland's Best Dressed Woman and Ireland's Sexiest Woman. In 2009, she was voted Sexiest TV Presenter in a poll by entertainment.ie.^[24]

References

External links

• Official website
• Caroline Morahan at the Internet Movie Database