O’Dowd vocalises his secret to Hollywood success

Ireland’s hottest actor Chris O’Dowd has cred-ited his broad Midlands accent with turning him into box office gold.

The 33-year-old star, who is on his honeymoon in New Orleans, said he was amused that female fans warmed to his distinctive brogue in his role as Irish officer Nathan Rhodes in the smash hit Bridesmaids.

But the star said he was tickled to be using his own accent in blockbuster movies as he was always teased about his Roscommon accent in university.

“It’s fun that I’m using my accent which is kind of unusual because it’s quite a broad Irish accent.

“I remember when I first went to university in Dublin, because I’m a country boy I used to get teased for my country accent, so the idea that it’s playing well in Hollywood I find to be quite funny.”

O’Dowd, who stars opposite Megan Fox in the soon to be released This is 40, said he preferred to keep his native accent in movies.

“I think I’m going to keep my Irish accent forever now in any movie I make because chicks dig it and that’s all I care about now. Now that I have been in a romantic comedy like Bridesmaids I just want to impress women,” he joked.

O’Dowd said he wasn’t getting carried away by all his recent accolades.

He told OK! Magazine: “I think we’re all kind of surprised by it. The Bridesmaids thing I think people thought was a fluke so we’ll just have to see what happens next time.”

The London-based star, who recently filmed the Sky One series Moone Boy in his hometown of Boyle, said his hectic working schedule doesn’t allow him to come back to Ireland enough.

“It’s not as often as I would like. I come from a big family and I seem to go back for religious ceremonies so it’s a lot of christenings and weddings. I go back about four times a year to brush up on my accent.”