The award is named after Brian McCarthy, a young comedian, actor, and fringe comedy producer killed in a car accident in 1987[1] aged 23.
He had previously studied drama at Rusden College, was one of the early practitioners of improv in Melbourne, and ran fringe comedy events at a pub in Collingwood to provide a platform for young comedians.
[4] McCarthy's favourite song, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", is traditionally performed by the closing act of every Moosehead Award benefit show.
[5] To the winner of a Moosehead, the Brian McCarthy Memorial Trust pays the MICF registration fee, the first A$3,000 of their venue rental, up to A$2,500 for creative support around the show, and up to A$2,000 towards accommodation costs if the recipient lives outside of Melbourne.
[5] The Mooseheads alumni include Judith Lucy, Lano & Woodley, Tom Ballard, Laura Davis, David Quirk, Kate McLennan, Hannah Gadsby,[2] Anthony Morgan, Dave O'Neil, Alan Brough, and Corinne Grant.