Jesse Griffin is probably best known for Wilson Dixon. In this Funny As interview, he discusses the evolution of the country music character, who is based on “between-song chat” and is unaware that he's funny. Griffin also discusses:
- Attending a primary school costume parade as Fred Dagg
- The revelation that busking could be lucrative
- Acting having long been part of the fabric of his life
- Forming comedy group Spleen with Te Radar, Duncan Sarkies and Aaron Watson
- Why The Front Lawn – “the theatrical version of number eight wire” – were so influential
- Comedy trio The 4 Noels, formed with friends from Melbourne’s John Bolton Theatre School
This interview was recorded for 2019 TV series
Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy.
All audiovisual content is copyright to
Augusto, and may not be reproduced. Publication of
Funny As
extended interviews made possible with funding from the
NZ Lotteries Grants Board.