Jon Kenny, the famous Irish comedian and Father Ted star, has died at the age of 66.
Kenny was best known as one half of comedy duo D'Unbelievables alongside Pat Shortt, but was also a poet and a talented actor on stage and screen, having appeared in the Banshees of Inisheerin, Angela's Ashes and in a number of memorable cameos in Father Ted.
The Limerick native's family confirmed the news in a statement to the Limerick Leader on Saturday morning.
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It read: "It is with deep sadness, the family of Jon Kenny, his wife and soul-mate Margy, his son Aran and daughter Laya, wish to announce his passing yesterday, 15th November 2024 at 7.20pm, in hospital in Galway.
"Jon had suffered a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Sunday 10th November at UHG (University Hospital Galway). He did not regain consciousness, but his entire family was by his side during this difficult time.
"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."
The comic had experienced a number of health battles in recent years, having revealed earlier this year that he was undergoing chemotherapy after cancer was detected on his left lung, the Irish Mirror reports.
Kenny was successfully treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at the height of the D'Unbelievables fame in 2000 and was also diagnosed with heart failure during his chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Speaking on the Oliver Callan show on RTÉ earlier this year, he said: "I was diagnosed... the cancer came back. I had it there again. I had it about three years ago, four years ago so I had some operation to remove some of my left lung and that was good. Good luck to that.
"But didn't the fecker come back again on my left lung again (last year). I've been lucky now because my chemo is working so I've been grand.
"But just in the middle of it all then, just for the craic of it, you know when you're getting on with things and after I had my second chemo, didn't I get told I had heart failure. Just to throw that in the mix like... a nice little cocktail of things to be getting on with."
In a statement, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Kenny was a “gifted performer”.
“It is with the utmost sadness that I have learned of the death of writer, actor and comedian Jon Kenny,” he said.
“Jon had the ability, that very few people possess, to make his audiences crack up laughing with a glance or a single word. 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.”
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