Some people are known for one or two things. Others have achievements that are so bountiful, it’s impossible to fathom how they’ve fitted it all in. Others still, manage to do all of that within the first three decades of their life – and yet only as a precursor to what more they have lying ahead. One such phenomenon is Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Dancer, Actor, Television Presenter, Nathan Foley.
Recognizable from a plethora of roles, Nathan Foley has not only had the privilege of being a one time frontispiece, as part of the sensationally popular Hi-5 team, but he has appeared in innumerable shows, won a sea of awards and continues to push his way through a variety of performance mediums.
Along the way, Foley appeared alongside a string of local and international celebrities, such as Rolf Harris, David Helfgott, James Morrison, the Tommy Tycho Orchestra, The Badloves, Marina Pryor, Gary Sweet, Noni Hazlehurst and even Jerry Hall – to name but a few.
Taking every opportunity to perform solo, Foley has made regular television appearances as well – on the Midday Show with Kerri-Anne Kennerly; the At Home Show with John Mangos; Carols by Candlelight; Burkes Backyard; the Today Show; Kerri-Anne’s Morning Show; Rove; & The Fashion Awards.
It was in 1999, however, that he successfully auditioned for Channel Nine’s Hi-5, touring and performing with them locally and abroad for TEN years and culminating in the group’s winning three Logie’s, a Helpmann award and an unprecedented, five consecutive Aria’s for the hugely successful children’s show (airing in 83 countries), as well as for the Best Children’s Album.
Foley still continues his solo work with corporate functions, charity events, television, band work and theatre. He has been both singer and compere of Sydney’s Big Night Out, has written and co-produced an original solo album “Discovery” and two solo singles, “Live Your Life” and “Say You Will”, completed a short season in the controversial production of Jerry Springer The Opera, and was chosen as understudy for the part of Asher in Joseph & His Amazing Technicolour Dream coat touring New Zealand & Asia.
As a young man with a proudly indigenous heritage “from my mother’s side of the family”, Foley was thrilled at the beginning of 2010 to be able give a solo performance on Australia Day, of both the Australian and Aboriginal Anthems, before a crowd of 100,000 people at Darling Harbour.
In spite of such achievements, Nathan Foley actually loves the simple things in life. On the rare occasions when he’s not working, he relishes simply hanging at home watching DVD’s and listening to music, spending time with his family and loved one’s. When he’s feeling a bit more energetic, on the other hand, he loves getting involved with V8’s, riding his motorbike & kart racing.
No matter how you look at it, Nathan Foley is a highly focused, yet very grounded human being . “Life is full of opportunities,” he says. “Everything that I have done has led to where I am today, through support, hard work, talent and most importantly a good attitude”.
After nearly 21 years in the entertainment industry, that “good attitude” and just doing what he happens to love, means that Nathan Foley is truly a force to be reckoned with. Without question, his tireless dedication and astonishing talent are going to continue propelling this extraordinary entertainer so much further still, than anyone could ever have ever imagined.
