The Daily Star Ireland
Irish comedian and actor Jon Kenny has passed away at the age of 66, as confirmed by his wife. He died at Galway Clinic, leaving behind a legacy as one of Ireland’s most beloved entertainers. Tributes have poured in from across the country, led by Taoiseach Simon Harris, who described him as a “gifted performer and a deep thinker.”
Kenny, originally from Hospital in County Limerick, rose to fame as part of the comedy duo *D’Unbelievables* alongside Pat Shortt. The pair enjoyed immense success touring Ireland and producing popular works such as *One Hell of a Video* and *D’Video*. Recently, they reunited for roles in the Oscar-nominated film *The Banshees of Inisherin* with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.
Health challenges marked Kenny’s later years. In 2000, his career with *D’Unbelievables* was interrupted when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He faced another cancer diagnosis in 2020, which required the removal of part of his lung, and he also dealt with heart failure, undergoing bypass surgery. Despite these setbacks, Kenny continued to work and performed his last show just two weeks before his passing.
Kenny was a versatile performer, known for his comedic brilliance and dramatic talent. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Fred Rickwood in *Father Ted* and appeared in films such as *The Matchmaker*, *Insatiable*, and *Les Misérables*. He also had a beautiful singing voice, often bursting into song for fun.
Reflecting on his life, Kenny’s family expressed their love for his humor, generosity, and zest for life, stating, “The memories and stories of those who knew him will be his legend.”
Political figures joined in honoring Kenny’s memory. Taoiseach Simon Harris praised his ability to make people laugh effortlessly and highlighted his honest discussions about his health struggles. Tánaiste Micheál Martin called him “one of our most iconic actors and comedians,” celebrating his contributions to Irish entertainment.
Mary McEvoy, Kenny’s co-star in *The Matchmaker*, described him as “bonkers in the best possible way” and recalled the joy of their friendship. Local councillors from Limerick also paid tribute, with Conor Sheehan calling him a “Limerick legend” and Olivia O’Sullivan highlighting the shock and sadness felt by the community.
Kenny served as the grand marshal of Limerick’s St. Patrick’s Day parade last year, an honor reflecting his cherished place in the city’s cultural fabric. His loss is deeply felt across Ireland, and he is remembered not only as a comedian and actor but as a true entertainer and a proud ambassador for Limerick.
