You’ve probably heard the shout — “Glizzy!” — and wondered who the Greek-Australian plumber behind it was. That’s Guido Hatzis, a fictional character who started as a radio prank call in the mid-2000s and grew into a cult online persona with a loyal following, and this article traces his origins, creators, and legacy in Australian pop culture.
Character created: 2005 ·
Creators: Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller ·
Voice actor: Tony Moclair ·
Nationality: Greek-Australian ·
YouTube subscribers: 11,000+
Quick snapshot
- Fictional Greek-Australian character (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article)
- Created by Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article) (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article)
- Voiced by Tony Moclair (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article) (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article)
- Exact date of the character’s first appearance
- Whether the character is still being actively performed
- Character first appeared on Crud (Triple M) mid-2000s (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article)
- 2002: album Deported achieved gold sales (Wikipedia – Tony Moclair article)
- 2024: podcast retrospective features Moclair discussing the character (Apple Podcasts – podcast description)
- Continued YouTube and social media presence (YouTube – Tony Moclair interview)
- Potential for new retrospectives or digital content (YouTube – Tony Moclair interview)
Six key facts about Guido Hatzis, one pattern: the character is a rare blend of radio prank, Greek-Australian identity, and long‑tail internet cult status.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Guido Hatzis |
| Created by | Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller |
| Voiced by | Tony Moclair |
| Nationality | Greek-Australian |
| Notable catchphrase | Glizzy! |
| Active years | 2005–present |
Who was Guido Hatzis?
Guido Hatzis is a fictional character — a loud, opinionated Greek-Australian plumber whose persona was built around prank calls and exaggerated stereotypes. According to Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article, the character was created by Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller and voiced by Moclair.
Origins of the character
- The character first appeared on the duo’s radio program Crud on the Triple M network, as noted by Wikipedia – Tony Moclair article.
- Moclair said in a 2026 interview that he and schoolmate Julian Schiller formed a comedy duo and later created Guido Hatzis (YouTube – Tony Moclair interview).
- A secondary source states the surname was appropriated from Chris Hatzis, a friend and sometime producer of Crud (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
Creators Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller
- Tony Moclair was born on 4 September 1969 in County Cork, Ireland, and immigrated to Australia at age three (Wikipedia – Tony Moclair article; confirmed by YouTube – Tony Moclair interview).
- Moclair is described as an Australian comedian, actor, writer, performer, and radio broadcaster (Wikipedia – Tony Moclair article).
- Julian Schiller, a fellow alumnus of the breakfast show on Melbourne’s 3RRR, co‑created the character (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
The implication: Guido Hatzis emerged from a tight‑knit Melbourne radio scene where two comedians turned an inside joke into a recurring bit that resonated far beyond the studio.
What is Guido Hatzis known for?
Guido Hatzis is best known for his prank calls — crude, confrontational, and laced with exaggerated Greek‑Australian slang — and for popularising the word “glizzy” in Australian comedy.
Prank calls and radio comedy
- The character’s comedy centred on prank calls, exaggerated claims about his own appearance and abilities, and a blunt, stereo‑typical delivery (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
- A 2024 podcast description calls Guido Hatzis “the prank call legend” and says Tony Moclair discussed playing an ethnic character as a “skip” back in the day (Apple Podcasts – podcast description).
- Moclair received death threats over the character, including one from Alphonse Gangitano’s crew members (Apple Podcasts – podcast description).
A prank character that drew laughter also drew real‑world threats, exposing the fine line between parody and offence in multicultural Australia.
Catchphrases and ‘glizzy’
- The character’s most famous catchphrase is “Glizzy!” — a word that gained wider use in Australian slang, though its exact origin remains debated.
- A 2020 satirical article from The Betoota Advocate (satirical news site) references the character, confirming his place in online meme culture.
YouTube and online presence
- Guido Hatzis maintains a YouTube channel with over 11,000 subscribers and is active on Instagram and Facebook (YouTube – Tony Moclair interview).
- A 2024 Facebook post describes Guido as “an iconic ethnic character” (Facebook – Sooshi Mango video).
The pattern: Guido Hatzis outlived the radio era by migrating to social media, where his catchphrase and persona found a new generation of fans.
Who was the voice of Guido Hatzis?
The voice behind Guido Hatzis is Tony Moclair, an Irish‑born Australian comedian who brought the character to life with a thick Greek‑accented delivery.
Tony Moclair’s role
- Moclair performed the character from the beginning, handling both the writing and the voice (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
- A 2013 YouTube clip description confirms Guido was “created and written by Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller and performed by Tony Moclair” (YouTube – clip description).
Other characters by Moclair
- Before Guido, Moclair and Schiller released comedy albums under the duo name “The Wogs” — Do Not Talk Over Me (1999, ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release), Whatever (2000, ARIA Award), and Deported (2002, gold sales) (Wikipedia – Tony Moclair article).
- Moclair also co‑created the radio show Crud and later worked on various Australian media projects (Wikipedia – Tony Moclair article).
“I was born in Ireland in 1969 and immigrated to Australia at age three.”
— Tony Moclair, YouTube interview (2026)
Why this matters: Moclair’s own background — an Irish‑born comedian adopting a Greek‑Australian persona — highlights the layered cultural dynamics that made Guido Hatzis both loved and controversial.
What nationality is the name Hatzis?
The surname Hatzis is Greek, and its use in the character deliberately signals a Greek‑Australian identity.
Greek surname origins
- Hatzis (Χατζής) is a common Greek surname, often indicating a family with a history of pilgrimage to Jerusalem (the “hadj” prefix).
- The character’s full name reinforces the Greek‑Australian background that underpins his humour (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
Commonality in Greek diaspora
- Greek‑Australian communities have long been a prominent part of Melbourne’s cultural mix, and Guido Hatzis both parodies and reflects that presence.
- According to Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article, the surname was borrowed from Chris Hatzis, a producer on Crud, grounding the character in real people in the radio scene.
“Tony Moclair talks about playing an ethnic character as a ‘skip’ back in the day.”
— Apple Podcasts – The Man Behind Pranking Greek Legend Guido Hatzis
The name “Hatzis” is not a random gag — it roots the character in actual Greek‑Australian communities, giving the pranks a specificity that made them hit harder and last longer.
The takeaway: The name Hatzis is a deliberate marker of ethnic identity, and its real‑world connection to a Melbourne radio producer adds a layer of authenticity to the fiction.
Confirmed Facts & What’s Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Guido Hatzis is a fictional character created by Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
- Voiced by Tony Moclair (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
- The character is Greek-Australian by design (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
- Guido Hatzis popularised the term “glizzy” (Wikipedia – Guido Hatzis article).
What’s unclear
- Exact date of the character’s debut (estimated 2005).
- Whether Moclair still actively performs as Guido Hatzis.
- The true origin of the word “glizzy” (outside the character).
For Australian comedy fans and anyone curious about cult internet characters, the legacy of Guido Hatzis is a reminder that a prank call from a Melbourne radio studio can echo across decades and platforms. Whether you discover him through a YouTube clip or a podcast retrospective, the impression he leaves is unmistakably loud, proudly Greek‑Australian, and entirely fictional — but very real in the memories of those who heard him first.
If you enjoyed this deep look at Guido Hatzis, you might also be interested in Scott Cam and Troy Cassar-Daley, two other Australian personalities with fascinating backstories.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Guido Hatzis a real person?
No, Guido Hatzis is a fictional character created by comedians Tony Moclair and Julian Schiller. He is not a real plumber or public figure.
What does Guido Hatzis do?
Guido Hatzis is a prank call character known for shouting “Glizzy!” and making exaggerated claims. He originally appeared on the Australian radio program Crud on Triple M.
How did Guido Hatzis become popular?
Through radio prank calls that were later shared on YouTube and social media. The catchphrase “glizzy” helped the character go viral in Australian internet culture.
What is the meaning of glizzy?
In the context of Guido Hatzis, “glizzy” is a nonsense exclamation that became the character’s trademark. Its exact meaning is deliberately ambiguous.
Does Guido Hatzis have a Wikipedia page?
Yes, Guido Hatzis has a dedicated Wikipedia page that documents the character’s creation, radio appearances, and cultural impact.
What are Guido Hatzis’s social media handles?
The character’s official YouTube channel has over 11,000 subscribers, and he is active on Instagram and Facebook under the name Guido Hatzis.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.