Michael Parr (born 6 August 1986) is an English actor, He is best known for playing the part of Ross Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, and originally Billy Parker in the Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks.
Michael Parr | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 August 1986 St. Helens, Merseyside, England |
| Nationality | British/American |
| Alma mater | East 15 Acting School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | Emmerdale (2013–2018, 2024–) |
Early life and education
editParr was born in Saint Helens, Merseyside. His mother is American and he holds dual U.S. and British nationality, enabling him to work in the U.S. without the need of a Green Card if he so wished.[1]
He trained at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama in Saint Helens, and the East 15 Acting School in Essex, graduating in 2008.[2]
Prior to getting the part in Emmerdale, Parr worked between acting jobs as a Learning Support Assistant in a Special Educational Needs school. He had previously worked as a barman.[3]
Career
editEmmerdale
editParr made his first appearance in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale in July 2013, playing an unnamed man who carjacked regular character Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy). It was only after his return to the show in October 2013 that his true identity was revealed.[4] His character, Ross Barton, is one of three sons of James Barton (Bill Ward), and the nephew of regular character Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb).[5]
During his time in Emmerdale, Parr was involved in a number of high-profile storylines, including an affair with policewoman Donna Windsor (Verity Rushworth); taking part in a violent robbery at Home Farm; an illicit affair with his brother's fiancée (later wife), Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb); and secretly fathering a child with Debbie's mother Charity Macey (Emma Atkins). In 2018, Ross Barton was the victim of an acid attack, leaving the character badly scarred. Parr has described the storyline as challenging.[6][7]
In October 2015, Parr won awards for Best Actor, Best Bad Boy and Sexiest Male at the 2015 Inside Soap Awards. Emmerdale also won Best Soap.[8]
In early 2018, it was announced that Parr would be leaving Emmerdale later in the year.[6] He has suggested he would like to work in the U.S.[7]
In September 2024, Emmerdale announced that Parr would be returning to the role of Ross later in the year, after a six-year absence.[9]
Other work
editPrevious television appearances include Good Cop, Inside Men and Hollyoaks. Film roles include Queesnbury Rules, No Way Through, and Keiren in the 2014 film Territory.[10]
Parr has also appeared on stage in various roles, including Justin in Studies for A Portrait at the Oval House Theatre and Danny in Twothousandandsex at the Drill Hall in London.[11]
In September 2023, Parr appeared as Paul Hughes in the ITV1 drama The Long Shadow, alongside Katherine Kelly.[12]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Inside Men | PC Mayfair | Episode 3, Series 1 |
| 2012 | Good Cop | Adam Riley | |
| 2012 | Hollyoaks | Billy Parker | One episode |
| Casualty | One episode | ||
| 2013–2018, 2024–present |
Emmerdale | Ross Barton | Series regular |
| 2020 | Bulletproof | Ben Woodall | Series 2 |
| 2023 | The Long Shadow | Paul Hughes | Episode 1 |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | No Way Through | Soldier | |
| 2011 | Queensbury Rules | Liam | |
| 2011 | A Beautiful Impurity | Gobba | |
| 2014 | Territory | Keiren | |
| 2017 | Dark Ascension | 'G' | |
| 2021 | Evan Wood | Adam |
References
edit- ^ "Emmerdale star Michael Parr: 8 things you didn't know about the St Helens actor". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
- ^ "Emmerdale: Michael Parr – I watch Ross and think, 'Is my forehead really that big?". Radio Times. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Teaching Assistant vs Actor: How can I do both?". Posted by Smart Teachers' Blog. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "'Emmerdale' unveils new regular Ross Barton in storyline twist". Digital Spy. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Meet the Barton Boys". itv.com. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
- ^ a b "'Time to move on': Michael Parr is leaving Emmerdale". The Irish News. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ a b Maxwell, Kelsey (2 June 2018). "Mike Parr: I'm leaving Emmerdale to follow American dream". Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ "Emmerdale and Michael Parr storm the Inside Soap Awards". Digital Spy. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "Emmerdale teases Ross Barton return in on-set video". Digital Spy. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Michael Parr at the Internet Movie Database". Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Michael Parr at Mandy Actors". Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ Spackman, Maisie (21 September 2023). "Emmerdale star returns to TV in new role". Metro. Retrieved 7 October 2023.