President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to the actor Jon Kenny, who has died aged 66.
Describing him as an “extraordinary talent”, Mr Higgins said Kenny had “an ability to raise a laugh with just the slightest action”.
“With his solo work and beyond – including his outstanding work as a stage and film actor and poet – Jon Kenny has left what is a substantial body of work which will be recalled with the greatest warmth by the Irish public,” he said.
Kenny’s family confirmed the news of his death on Saturday morning.
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“It is with deep sadness, the family of Jon Kenny, his wife and soul-mate Margie, his son Aran and daughter Leah, wish to announce his passing yesterday, 15th November 2024 at 7.20pm, in hospital in Galway,” the statement said.
“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 statement concluded.
Born in Hospital, Co Limerick, Kenny was best known as one half of D’Unbelievables, an act which turned him and Pat Shortt into two of Ireland’s most popular comedy performers for much of the 1990s.
The pair had a string of hugely successful live shows and best selling videos, but their run came to a halt when Kenny was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2000.
After overcoming the disease, Kenny returned to performing as a solo act and had roles in major films and TV programmes including Father Ted, Angela’s Ashes and the Banshees of Inisherin as well as animated movies including Wolfwalkers and Song of the Sea
Earlier this year, Kenny revealed he was being treated for lung cancer. Speaking to Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1, he recalled his first cancer diagnosis at the beginning of 2000.
“I had no choice but to take a step back. Over the space of two years, I was on different forms of treatment ... I got a stem cell transplant, thanks be to god. Out in St James’s [Hospital], they sorted me out and I motored on for another while.”
However, he said that in recent years he had been diagnosed with a different form of the illness.
“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,” he said.
In a post on X, Shortt said he was “devastated” and that Kenny’s wife and children were in his thoughts.
“I was lucky to spend so many years touring with Jon and learning from him,” he said. “Creating some great shows and videos. Hilarious hours in the rehearsal room and playing great tunes. But sitting in the kitchen with Margy and Caroline just having the craic in Lough Gur will never be forgotten. Thanks Jon.”
In recent months Kenny had performed in the John B Keane play The Matchmaker and said he was working on a memoir.
Mary McEvoy, who appeared alongside him in the play, described Kenny as “bonkers in the best possible way”.
“He always had to create. He couldn’t let something lie. He was always working at something. I don’t think there was ever anybody like him. I don’t think there’s anyone coming after him,” she said on RTÉ radio.
“He had the most exquisite singing voice. He often burst into song again in the car, just for the craic like, and it was a pleasure to listen to him.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris said Kenny had the ability to make his audience “crack up laughing with a glance or a single word”.
“I was in his native Limerick last night when word of his passing came through and to say he is beloved is a huge understatement,” the Fine Gael leader said in a post on X.
“Behind that seemingly effortless talent to joke, there was a gifted performer and an extremely deep thinker.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Kenny’s passing, describing him as “one of our most iconic actors & comedians”.
“Through the D’Unbelievables, and his appearances on stage & on screen, Jon made us smile. He was an entertainer to his core. Deepest sympathies to his wife Margie & family at this time,” the Fianna Fáil leader said in a post on X.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Kenny would be deeply missed.
“He was a comedic genius who – along with his compadre Pat Shortt – connected with the unique humour and wit of the Irish people in a very special way,” she said on X. “He leaves the best legacy – he made people laugh and smile.”
Fellow comedian 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.”
A death notice posted in rip.ie states that Kenny’s funeral Mass will take place at St Patrick’s Church, Lough Gur, Bruff on Tuesday at noon.
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