Rhys Mathewson

As actor

Comedian Rhys Mathewson is the youngest winner of both the Billy T Award and Fred Award. After participating in Class Comedians at age 15, in 2006, he knew he wanted a career in comedy, saying “as soon as I stepped off the stage for the first time I knew I as going to do this my entire life”.

Three years later he won Best Newcomer for his first solo show in the NZICF, The Best $18 You’ll Ever Spend. The next year, 2010, saw his Billy T win – Mathewson was just 19 years old, the youngest person ever to be awarded the coveted yellow towel.

Soon Mathewson started performing overseas, including …