Jon Kenny dies at 66: Father Ted star dies after tragic cancer diagnosis

Father Ted star Jon Kenny has died at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.

The Irish comedian and actor passed away last night in a hospital in Galway, his wife Margy said.

He had previously recovered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his 40s, but announced in 2020 that his cancer had returned.

A Limerick native, Jon rose to fame in the 1990s as one half of comedy duo D’Unbelievables, playing a number of quirky Irish characters alongside Pat Shortt.

He also appeared in Channel 4’s comedy series Father Ted and recently appeared in the Oscar-winning film The Banshees of Inisherin.

Jon’s heartbroken family paid tribute and said: ‘Jon grabbed hold of life and shook it as hard as he could; took every ounce of fun, madness, and love out of him; ‘His intelligence, humour, generosity and kindness will endure long after his death.’

‘The memories and stories of those who knew him will become his legend.’

They said he had a heart attack in the early hours of Sunday and did not regain consciousness, RTE reported.

Father Ted star Jon Kenny (pictured in the soap) has died aged 66 after a battle with cancer

Jon Kenny ‘Mrs.’ Pictured at the premiere of his movie. Brown’s Boys D’Movie’ at The Savoy in 2014

A Limerick native, Jon first rose to fame as one half of comedy duo D’Unbelievables alongside Pat Shortt.

In March, Jon revealed his first cancer diagnosis at the height of D’Unbelievables’ success.

Speaking to RTE Radio One’s Oliver Callan, Callan said: ‘It was tiring and exhausting but it was fun and I almost killed myself.

‘I was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of 2000 and had no choice but to step back.

‘I received different treatment methods for two years.’

Tributes have poured in for the legendary comedian, who will perform at The Schoolyard Theater in Charleville this evening.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said Jon was ‘a talented artist and an extremely profound thinker’.

‘Jon had the ability that very few people have, to make his audience laugh with a look or a single word,’ he said.

‘Behind this seemingly effortless ability to joke was a gifted artist and an extremely profound thinker.

‘Jon was an interesting and thoughtful person, who gave stunning dramatic performances on stage and screen, and the country is still under the D’Unbelievables spell.’

‘I was in his hometown of Limerick last night when the news of his death broke and to say he was loved is a huge understatement.

‘I was personally amazed by the honest and thoughtful way Jon spoke about the disease to Oliver Callan on the radio earlier this year. Like everything he did, it was very human and very real.

‘On behalf of Jon’s family, friends and his many colleagues and peers, I am truly sorry for your loss.’

Jon performing on stage in Dublin, Ireland, in March 2003

Jon Kenny (top left), photographed at the launch of RTE’s Celebrity Jigs & Reels in 2017

Irish comedian Jon Kenny appeared in some episodes of Father Ted

Jon Kenny photographed with Mary McEvoy at the Pavilion Theater in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin

Tributes were paid to the legendary comedian, who will perform at The Schoolyard Theater in Charleville this evening.

Ireland’s deputy prime minister, Micheal Martin, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our most iconic actors and comedians, Jon Kenny.

“Jon made us smile with D’Unbelievables and his appearances on stage and screen.

‘He was a showman at heart. ‘I offer my deepest condolences to his wife Margie and family at this time.’

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described Kenny as a ‘comedy genius’ and added: ‘Along with his friend Pat Shortt – (he) connected in a very special way with the unique humor and intelligence of the Irish people.

‘He left the best legacy; He made people laugh and smile.

‘Jon Kenny will be greatly missed. ‘I offer my sincere condolences to Jon’s wife Margy, his children, his wide circle of friends and everyone who loved him.’

Fellow comedian and artist Dara O Briain shared on X: ‘Jon was a lovely, lovely man and a strong man of comedy.

‘D’Unbeliveables opened the door to us all, went on epic tours and dragged the audience, sometimes physically, into a crazy world of their own creation. ‘He is 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 madman that is Jon Kenny. Incredibly funny and warm, it leaves a huge impact on us.

‘The last time he came to Cahir to appear on the radio with us, he brought us a bunch of bananas as a gift and ate half of it live on air. They don’t make them love him anymore.’