Love/Hate star Peter Coonan has revealed he’s been unemployed and searching for work while watching the show which made him a celebrity.
The Dublin actor admits he has been out of work for “months and months” while one of Ireland’s most famous names through playing Fran.
And only now – after four seasons – Peter finally feels he has found the “turning point” he needed to make his life a success.
“There have been times when I haven’t worked for months and months in between this great time in life with Love/Hate,” he said.
Success: Peter won Best Supporting TV Actor at IFTAs | VIPIRELAND.COM
“This year has really been the turning point. I’ve only had a couple of weeks gap and that was when my baby was born.
“I’m still a jobbing actor. I’ll still have times after this where I’ll be back looking for work.”
And Peter knows that without Love/Hate he would be in a rut job-wise.
“The success of the show has definitely helped me, no doubt,” he said.
“But you still have to get jobs on merit. It’s given me the opportunity to have a theatre career which I always wanted.
Love: Peter and girlfriend Kim O’Driscoll | VIPIRELAND.COM
“And it’s bringing in young fans. But once you step on stage all of that goes away, it becomes inconsequential.”
And Peter told the Sunday World he still finds it “fun” when people use Fran’s catchphrase coolaboola – even if co-star Tom Vaughan Lawlor, aka Nidge, can’t handle it.
He added: “The attention is less of a jump for me, it’s kind of ever-present. When Tom [Vaughan Lawlor] comes home, he finds it overwhelming.
“Because he lives in London and people don’t see him that often. I get seen more because I’m in Dublin, I live here.”
