Success story to come home for the New Year

HE’S the epitome of the American dream.

Plucked from obscurity at a supermarket till in Los Angeles, Cork native Peter O’Riordan, 27, has landed a job as a reporter for world famous Hollywood gossip site TMZ.

Originally from Ballincollig, O’Riordan now holds a coveted position with the company which has redefined celebrity news.

TMZ, set up by celebrity lawyer Harry Levin in 2005, has broken several news stories, including the death of Michael Jackson and Mel Gibson’s arrest on suspicion of drink-driving.

It also has a TV show in the US, which has brought the Corkman to prominence in the past year.

“TMZ is the number one news broadcasting agency in the world of celebrity news,” says O’Riordan, the site’s only Irish employee.

Testament to his bubbly personality, he first impressed TMZ bosses while working in a supermarket in the same complex as the company. After recruitment talks, the UCC graduate landed a job.

“I would talk the hind legs off a donkey. They took a risk and a chance with me. They didn’t have to do that and I am very grateful.”

The internet has been buzzing with comments about the former model since he first appeared on US TV, asking “who is the hot Irish guy?”

But Peter’s mum, Deirdre O’Riordan, speaking from her Ballincollig home as she awaits his return for the new year, says her son has no airs and graces about his new-found fame.

“With Peter, what you see is what you get. He’s terribly charismatic and people have always been drawn to him.

“Growing up with Peter in the house was fun. We were just very family-orientated and did everything together. He was a great kid and he never caused us one ounce of trouble.”

An only child, Peter is extremely close to his mother, 49, a former drama teacher, and his father, Pat, 47, who works in a bank. He studied commerce at UCC, at the same time as his mother was studying for a BA.

“I’m glad he’s doing so well now. He went off to America with no job, nowhere to stay really, and he’s worked his back off since he went there,” she says.

lSee full interview in today’s Weekend