Father Ted star Jon Kenny has died at the age of 66 following a battle with cancer.
The Irish comedian and actor passed away at a hospital in Galway yesterday evening, his wife Margy has said.
He had previously recovered from non-Hodgkins lymphoma in his 40s but announced in 2020 that his cancer had returned.
Jon, a Limerick native, shot to fame in the 1990s as one half of comedy duo D’Unbelievables, playing a number of off-the-wall Irish characters alongside Pat Shortt.
He also made cameos in Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and recently had a role in Oscar-winning movie The Banshees of Inisherin.
Paying tribute, Jon’s heartbroken family said: ‘Jon grabbed life and shook it as hard as he could, getting every ounce of fun, madness and love from it – his wit, humour, generosity and kindness will outlast his passing.’
‘The memories and stories of those who knew him will be his legend.’
They said he suffered a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Sunday and did not regain consciousness, RTE has reported.
Father Ted star Jon Kenny (pictured in the show) has died at the age of 66 following a cancer battle
Jon Kenny pictured at the premiere of ‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie’ at The Savoy in 2014
Jon, a Limerick native, first shot to fame as one half of comedy duo D’Unbelievables alongside Pat Shortt.
In March, Jon opened up about his first cancer diagnosis – which came when D’Unbelievables was at the peak of its success.
Speaking to Oliver Callan on RTE Radio One, he said: ‘It was tiring and wearing but it was fun and, well, I nearly killed myself.
‘I got cancer at the beginning of 2000 and I had no choice but to take a step back.
‘Over the space of two years I was on different forms of treatment.’
Tributes have poured in for the legendary comedian, who had been due to perform at The Schoolyard Theatre in Charleville this evening.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said Jon was a ‘gifted performer and an extremely deep thinker.’
‘Jon had the ability, that very few people possess, to make his audiences crack up laughing with a glance or a single word,’ he said.
‘Behind that seemingly effortless talent to joke, there was a gifted performer and an extremely deep thinker.
‘Jon was an interesting and thoughtful person, he had some stunning dramatic performances on stage and on screen and the country is still in stitches from the magic that was D’Unbelievables.’
‘I was in his native Limerick last night when word of his death came through and to say he is beloved, is a huge understatement.
‘I personally admired the honest and reflective way Jon spoke about illness with Oliver Callan on radio earlier this year. Like everything he did, it was very human and very real.
‘To Jon’s family, friends and huge circle of colleagues and peers, I am truly sorry for your loss.’
Jon performing on stage in Dublin, Ireland in March 2003
Jon Kenny (top left) pictured during the launch of RTE’s Celebrity Jigs & Reels in 2017
Irish comedian Jon Kenny appeared in episodes of Father Ted
Jon Kenny pictured with Mary McEvoy at the Pavilion Theatre at Dun Laoghaire in Dublin
Tributes have poured in for the legendary comedian, who had been due to perform at The Schoolyard Theatre in Charleville this evening
Deputy Irish premier Micheal Martin said: ‘Deeply saddened at the passing of Jon Kenny, one of our most iconic actors and comedians.
‘Through the D’Unbelievables, and his appearances on stage and on screen, Jon made us smile.
‘He was an entertainer to his core. Deepest sympathies to his wife Margie and family at this time.’
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described Kenny as a ‘comedic genius’, adding: ‘Along with his compadre Pat Shortt – (he) connected with the unique humour and wit of the Irish people in a very special way.
‘He leaves the best legacy – he made people laugh and smile.
‘Jon Kenny will be deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences to Jon’s wife Margy, his children, his wide circle of friends, and all who loved him.’
Fellow comedian and performer Dara O Briain posted on X: ‘Jon was a lovely, lovely man, and a comedy powerhouse.
‘D’Unbeliveables opened the door to all the rest of us, doing epic tours and dragging the audience, sometimes bodily, into a mad world of their creation. A unique man, and will be missed.’
Comedy duo Johnny ‘Smacks’ McMahon and Johnny ‘B’ O’Brien, known collectively as the Two Johnnies, posted on their Instagram account: ‘A great light has gone out. The magical mad man that was Jon Kenny. Incredibly funny and warm, a massive influence on us.
‘Last time he came to Cahir to be on the radio with us, he brought us a gift of a bunch of bananas and ate half them live on air. They don’t make them like him anymore.’