My Background As A Voice-Over and Actor

Tripadvisor Screenshot 1 - British Voice Actor - Tony Collins Fogarty.  Chosen to be the voice of the owl in TV Commercials shown in the UK, USA and Canada.

Tripadvisor Screenshot 2 -  Still from the TV spot voiced by British Voice Actor, Tony Collins Fogarty.
Tripadvisor Commercial Still 3 - TV Commercials voiced by voice actor Tony Collins Fogarty.
Tripadvisor Screenshot 4 - Shot of the owl voiced on TV by British Voice-Actor Tony Collins Fogarty.

Tripadvisor Screenshot 5 - British Voice Actor as the brand voice of the owl: Tony Collins Fogarty.

I’m an experienced British Voice Over Artist and Actor. You may already know my voice as the bathrobe-clad owl (Little Wiser) from TripAdvisor’s TV campaigns (2017 to 2019). More than 20 commercials, shown in the UK, USA and Canada. The US commercials alone, have aired more than 85,000 times* – seen and heard by millions of viewers.

(*source: iSpotTV)

Of course I do other things too. I’ve worked on video narration, e-Learning content, on-hold messaging, awards ceremony announcements (Voice of God) and dubbing. Prior to Covid changing working arrangements, I was also a regular voice on France 24’s “The Observers” TV show – on their English language service.

As a Voiceover Artist, I’ve worked professionally for 17 years (full time for the last 10 years). Prior to voiceover and acting, I worked as a radio broadcaster and producer.  Even back then as early as 1991, I was occasionally asked to do radio voiceovers by the commercial production department.


Becoming a Voice Actor

From 2012, I decided that to become a more rounded in my skills, I should take some actor training. This was my journey to becoming a Voice Actor. Many people use the terms Voiceover Artist and Voice Actor interchangeably. I would argue they are different skillsets.

Initially, my thoughts were to take just a few classes, but 6 years later it has been much more than that.  I have done vocal classes, 6 years of The Meisner Technique, and 4 years of Acting For TV classes.

I have also trained one-to-one with Nancy Wolfson (Braintracks Audio). Nancy is a world-class voiceover coach, based in Los Angeles. Always learning. Always improving.

Acting Still Photo - Meisner Technique training in action.  Actor Tony Collins Fogarty - featured with Arnold Pollock. (credit: Anthony Robling)
Acting – The Meisner Technique


Before Voice Over: Radio & Events

Picture of Party In The Park - Temple Newsam Leeds.  Tony was the event manager for 3 years (1996, 1997 & 1998).  The largest free concert in the UK at the time.
I event managed Party In The Park for Radio Aire in Leeds in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

My background was working in radio since 1988, with my first on-air role presenting travel news on BBC local radio stations from 1989.

I went on to present shows on many commercial stations in the north of England, between 1990 and 2012, including presenting a live networked show across 26 UK radio stations.

In radio, I’ve been responsible for production, music scheduling, PR, marketing and I’ve managed events such as pop concerts for up to 70,000 people.


Geek Alert

I’ve been a computer geek all my life, so I have some knowledge of the web, HTML, CSS, PHP, mySQL, WordPress and other CMS, Video Editing and other media content. It helps me talk your language when producing content for a variety of purposes.

Through my business TDF Media I also work on web and audio projects.

Francophile

In recent years I’ve become a huge Francophile, making 10 trips to France between 2015 and 2019. I’m learning the language (slowly) and one day might make that move. My voicebooth will come with me of course.


My Voice Over Work

I work with clients around the world, fulfilling their voice over requirements, as easily as possible. I have my own studio to connect for live studio sessions or to record and send audio to clients. I work with a mixture of production studios, agencies and end clients.

What I Offer

I believe there is huge value in building long-term working relationships. I specialise in the corporate and commercial sectors. I’m here to offer advice, help you do the best work possible, on time and to budget. My values are Trust, Quality, Ease and Value.

Career Highlights:

British Voice Actor - Tony Collins Fogarty.

Photo Credit – Anthony Robling.

Voice of TripAdvisor TV Campaign in UK, US and Canada, heard by millions of viewers. More than 85,000 national airings on US Television between June 2017 and Aug 2019.

British Male Voice - Tony Collins Fogarty was the voice of TripAdvisor's owl on TV.  Still from campaign.

Voice of over 20,000 Property Tours for leading UK estate agents over 5 years. (2012-2017)

Producing and presenting a network radio show aired across 26 stations in the UK.

Producing and stage managing Radio Aire’s “Party In The Park” concert for three years.  An outdoor, live event attended by 70,000 people at Temple Newsam, Leeds.

Producing and event managing Leeds United’s “LUTV” pre-match and half-time entertainment for two successful years through their peak in the Premiership and Champion’s League. (1999-2001)

Producing Live Outside Radio Broadcasts from Disneyworld Florida, back to the UK. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Disneyworld Florida.

Co-creating a television game show format, optioned and then piloted by Yorkshire Television.

Presenting Yorkshire’s first ever Flying Eye travel service. Live broadcasts from a plane, every day.