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Jonathan Kenny (12 December 1957 – 15 November 2024) was an Irish comedian and actor, best known as one half of the Irish comic duo d'Unbelievables with Pat Shortt.[1] They were a successful duo until 2000, releasing One Hell of a Video, D'Unbelievables, D'Video, D'Telly, D'Mother and D'collection but the group stopped touring after Kenny was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.[2][3]
| Jon Kenny | |
|---|---|
 Kenny (right) with Seán Kelly in 2014 | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Kenny |
| Born | 12 December 1957 Hospital, County Limerick, Ireland |
| Died | 15 November 2024 (aged 66) Galway, County Galway, Ireland |
| Medium | Television, film, stand-up |
| Notable works and roles | D'Unbelievables Fred Rickwood in Father Ted |
Jonathan Kenny was born in Hospital, County Limerick on 12 December 1957.[4][5][6]
Kenny was an accomplished singer, having performed with Sharon Shannon,[7] and a supporter of Munster Rugby.[8][9] He filmed a lead role in an independent Irish feature film called Insatiable, directed by Jessie Kirby.[10] On his 2007 DVD, Back to Front, Jon said he played his first serious role in the film, the "nastiest man in Ireland".[11] His mother's maiden name is Dirraine and his maternal grandparents came from Inishmore in the Aran Islands.[12]
Kenny returned to solo comedy and performed throughout Ireland with his one-man show. In the spring of 2007, Kenny realised his first solo stand-up DVD "Back to Front".[13]
Kenny created a theatre show titled "Mag Mell" with visual artist Des Dillon and musician and composers Benny McCarthy and Conal Ó Gráda in 2012 and 2013.[14]
Kenny portrayed the character Gerry in The Banshees of Inisherin in 2022.[15]
Kenny died of heart failure and lung cancer at the Galway Clinic, on 15 November 2024, at the age of 66.[16][17][18]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Father Ted | Michael Cocheese/Fred Rickwood | Series 1 Episode 3 "The Passion of Saint Tibulus" Series 2 Episode 5 "A Song for Europe" |
| 1996 | The Van | Gerry McCarthy | |
| 1996 | Angela Mooney Dies Again | Chaplin | |
| 1998 | Les Misérables | Thénardier | |
| 1999 | Angela's Ashes | Lavatory Man | |
| 2008 | Dick Dickman P.I. | ||
| 2008 | Insatiable | Mr Harvey | |
| 2014 | Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie | Cunningham | |
| 2014 | Song of the Sea | Ferry Dan / The Great Seanachaí | Voice |
| 2020 | Wolfwalkers | Stringy Woodcutter | Voice |
| 2022 | The Banshees of Inisherin | Gerry |
References
- ^ "COMEDY Duo d'unbelievable Jon Kenny has two Mayo dates". The Mayo News. 2 November 2009. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ D'unbeaten Jon is back, Daily Mirror, 20 September 2002
- ^ My cancer battle by comic Jon, Daily Mirror, 30 November 2000
- ^ Ward, Shauna Bannon (25 March 2024). "D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny's 35-year marriage to wife Maggie, forest home and cancer journey". RSVP Live. Reach plc. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Pope, Conor (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny, 'an entertainer to his core', dies aged 66". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Lynch, Richard (24 October 2019). "Jon Kenny stars in new play Crowman on Saturday, November 2". I Love Limerick. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Cormac (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny has died, age 66". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Titan of stage and screen Jon Kenny passes away at 66". Limerick Post. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Lee, Jenny (20 June 2019). "Arts Q&A: Comedian and actor Jon Kenny on U2, Stevie Wonder and Munster rugby". The Irish News. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Insatiable". Irish Film Institute. 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ McGuire, Kevin (24 July 2008). "Comedian Jon Kenny goes back to front at the Town Hall Theatre". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ McGrath, Niall (22 November 2011). "Jon Kenny". Prezi. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Back to Front with Jon Kenny in Belmullet, Mayo Advertiser, 21 November 2008
- ^ Sheridan, Colette (28 May 2014). "Kenny stars in tale of puppetry, politics and greed". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "INTERVIEW | Jon Kenny on The Banshees of Inisherin and a long-awaited return to screen with D'Unbelievables partner Pat Shortt". Limerick Post. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Legendary Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny has died". Live95. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Legendary Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny passes away". Limerick Leader. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Gilbart, Manon; Gorman, Sally (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny dies, aged 66". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
External links
- Limerick City Library, Local Studies, Local Studies, Local Studies Files, A, Actors. Archived on the Wayback Machine on 28 April 2023.
- Limerick City Library, Local Studies, Local Studies Files, M, Musicians, Singers, Comedians, etc.. Archived on the Wayback Machine on 5 Match 2024.