D'Unbelievables co-star Pat Shortt leads tributes to Jon Kenny following his death at 66

Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny of D'Unbelievables pictured outside Cork Opera House in 2012. File Picture: Clare Keogh

Actor and comedian Pat Shortt paid an emotional tribute to his D'Unbelievables co-star Jon Kenny, saying he was "lucky to get to spend many years touring with Jon and learning from him". 

Jon Kenny's death was confirmed by his family on Saturday morning. He was 66.

Originally from Hospital in Co Limerick, Kenny was best known as one half of the d’Unbelievables, and for his roles in Father Ted, Angela’s Ashes and The Banshees of Inisherin.

In a statement, his family said: "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, November 15, 2024 at 7.20pm, in hospital in Galway.

"Jon had suffered a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Sunday November 10 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."

In a post on social media, Pat Shortt said he was "devastated" to learn of his friend's passing, and that his thoughts were with Jon's family. 

We are all devastated with the news of Jon Passing and our thoughts are with Margy Aaron and Leah. I was lucky to spend so many years touring with Jon and learning from him. Creating some great shows and videos. Hilarious hours in the rehersal room and playing great tunes. But… pic.twitter.com/Eai3cs9q8c

— Pat Shortt (@Pat_Shortt) November 16, 2024

"I was lucky to spend so many years touring with Jon and learning from him. Creating some great shows and videos. Hilarious hours in the rehersal room and playing great tunes," he wrote in a post alongside a reel of some of the duo's funniest clips together.

But sitting in the kitchen with Margy and Caroline just having the craic in Lough Gur will never be forgotten. Thanks Jon.

Jon Kenny. File Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

A jack of all trades, Kenny, who lived in Lough Gur, had worked as an actor, comedian, writer and most recently had made his debut as a poet.

In 2000, Jon Kenny was diagnosed with non-hodgkin lymphoma while in his 40s. Last March, the comedian had announced that his cancer came back in 2020 and that he was undergoing treatment.

Speaking of his cancer returning, he had said: “I've been very lucky. I'm sure some people would say I've had bad luck, but I think when you come out the other end of anything, I think I’ve had a lot of good luck as well, everything has worked for me.

“I had a double bypass which kind of brilliantly mended me, fixed me up and got me back on the road and then, my cancer came back again about three years ago. I was diagnosed with lung cancer and they removed the lower part of my left lung,” Jon had explained.

“That kept me going again for another while, but it came back again now last year, so, I’m just on treatment for that at the moment. But it's good the treatment is working. It's all going well, I'm very lucky. Some shows I'm doing is just to see how my body is going to hold up doing some travel, some work and some live performances.”

Despite this, Kenny planned some shows and lived performances. In April, he was on stage for a play titled The Matchmaker, which whom he played over a dozen of characters.

The comedian had been working on his memoirs, and also wrote poetry. Recently, he had taken part in a few poetry events, including the Éigse Michael Hartnett festival in October.

The Taoiseach has led tributes and expressed his "utmost sadness" upon learning of Jon Kenny's death.

In a statement, Simon Harris 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."

Mr Harris was in Jon's "native Limerick" last night when word of his death broke.

"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. May he rest in peace," Mr Harris concluded.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also said he was "deeply saddened" about the passing "of 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," Mr Martin said.

Jon Kenny performing his show, 'I'm Not Says I..I'm Fine', at The Mall Arts Centre in Youghal. Picture: John Hennessy

In a post on Facebook, the Hospital Town Community described Jon as "a legend of Hospital town."

"It is with great sadness that we hear of the death of Jon Kenny. A native of Hospital Town, Jon was a singer, comedian, writer and actor. 

"He was part of the local band Gimik in the 1970s where him and his band mates would give people many a good nights over the years. 

"We sent our condolences to his wife Margie and his two children Leah & Aaron and to the rest of the Kenny family on their loss. A legend of Hospital Town, may he rest in peace."

President Michael D Higgins said Mr Kenny had an "impeccable, natural talent for humour and an ability to raise a laugh with just the slightest action". 

"Jon brought so much joy and laughter in his work with Pat Shortt as one half of the D'Unbelievables. Immensely popular amongst all his colleagues, for Pat Shortt it will be an incredible loss of his partner in showbusiness," President Higgins said.

"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."

President Higgins said it was "part of the generosity of his character" that Mr Kenny he spoke about his health issues with his trademark warmth and humour, while providing "an inspiration to those suffering from their own illnesses".

"May I extend my deepest sympathies to Jon's wife, Margie, to his children Leah and Aaron, and to all of his family, friends and fellow performers," he added.

"He will be deeply missed by all those who appreciated his extraordinary talent. "