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Jon Kenny

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For other people with the same name, see John Kenny (disambiguation).

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 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.[2][3]

Jon Kenny
Kenny (right) with Seán Kelly in 2014
BornJonathan Kenny
(1957-12-12)12 December 1957
Hospital, County Limerick, Ireland
Died15 November 2024(2024-11-15) (aged 66)
Galway, County Galway, Ireland
MediumTelevision, film, stand-up
Years active1970s–2000
2010–2023
Spouse
Margie Kenny
​
(m. 1990)​
Children2
Notable works and rolesD'Unbelievables
Fred Rickwood in Father Ted
Websitejonkenny.net

Early life

Jonathan Kenny was born in Hospital, County Limerick on 12 December 1957.[4][5][6] His mother's maiden name is Dirraine and his maternal grandparents came from Inishmore in the Aran Islands.[7] He started his career in the 1970s, performing with the Limerick band Gimik before switching to acting.[8]

Career

Kenny was an accomplished singer, having performed with Sharon Shannon,[9] and a supporter of Munster Rugby.[10][11] He filmed a lead role in the independent Irish feature film Insatiable, directed by Jessie Kirby.[12] On his 2007 DVD, Back to Front, Kenny said he played his first serious role in the film, the "nastiest man in Ireland".[13]

Having taken a 10 year break from performing due to his illness, Kenny returned to solo comedy in 2010 and continued to perform throughout Ireland with his one-man show.[14] In the spring of 2007, Kenny released his first solo stand-up DVD Back to Front.[15]

Kenny hosted the theatre show Mag Mell with visual artist Des Dillon and musician and composers Benny McCarthy and Conal Ó Gráda from 2012 until 2014; creating its puppets, costumes and set.[16][17]

Kenny portrayed the character Gerry in The Banshees of Inisherin in 2022.[18] His last acting appearance was in The Hurler: A Campion's Tale in 2023, appearing as the main character Gar Campion's coach and mentor.[19]

Personal life

Kenny was married to Margie Kenny since 1990 and had 2 children.[4][20]

Illness and death

Kenny was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2000 and received a stem cell transplant.[21] He was fully treated in 2004.[22] In 2011, Kenny underwent a triple heart bypass and suffered from heart failure afterwards.[23][24] His cancer recurred in 2020 and he underwent lung surgery.[25]

Kenny died of heart failure and lung cancer at the Galway Clinic, on 15 November 2024, at the age of 66.[26][27][28] He had suffered from a heart attack on 10 November and hadn't regained consciousness since.[29]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1994 One Hell of a Do Self Writer
1995–1996 Father Ted Michael Cocheese
Fred Rickwood		 2 episodes: "The Passion of Saint Tibulus", and "A Song for Europe"
1996 The Van Gerry McCarthy
1996 Angela Mooney Dies Again Chaplin
1996 D'Video Self Producer, writer
1998 D'Telly Music department
1998 Les Misérables Thénardier
1999 Angela's Ashes Lavatory Man
2000 The Fitz John F. 6 episodes
2001 D'Mother Director, writer, composer, guitar
2001 The Late Late Show Self 1 episode
2004 Ireland AM Self 1 episode
2004–2005 Tubridy Tonight Self 2 episodes
2005 D'Collection Compilation[30]
2007 40 Myles On: A Night of Irish Comedy
2008 Dick Dickman P.I.
2008 Insatiable Mr Harvey
2008 Celebrity Bainisteoir 8 episodes
2008 Back to Front Host Self performance[31]
2011 Escape of the Gingerbread Man!!! Paul/Storyteller/Kids Voice for Kids
2011 D'Unbelievables One Hell of a Do Tom/GAA Coach/Himself Self
2012 Joe Dolan - Sweet Little Rock N Roller Self 1 episode
2012–2014 Mag Mell PJ Foley Set decoration, costume design
2014 All Washed Up Johnaton Renmore
2014 Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie Cunningham
2014 Song of the Sea Ferry Dan/The Great Seanachaí Voice
2015 The Break Derek
2016 Pat Pat Titular character
2019 Love Her Bones Tom Kenneflick
2019 The Tommy Tiernan Show Self 1 episode
2019 Niall Tóibín - Everyman Self
2020 Wolfwalkers Stringy Woodcutter Voice
2022 The Banshees of Inisherin Gerry
2023 Me Head is Wrecked with Tony Kelly Self Voice on 1 episode
2023 The Hurler: A Campion's Tale Billy Byrne

Further reading

These are archives held by the Limerick City Library; containing books, journals, newspapers and audio-visual material about famous people from both Limerick and County Limerick.[32][33] They include Kenny.

References

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ D'unbeaten Jon is back, Daily Mirror, 20 September 2002
  3. ^ My cancer battle by comic Jon, Daily Mirror, 30 November 2000
  4. ^ a b 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Lynch, Richard (24 October 2019). "Jon Kenny stars in new play Crowman on Saturday, November 2". I Love Limerick. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  7. ^ McGrath, Niall (22 November 2011). "Jon Kenny". Prezi. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  8. ^ Lynch, Richard (16 November 2024). "Beloved Limerick iconic actor and comedian Jon Kenny, dies aged 66". I Love Limerick. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  9. ^ Fitzgerald, Cormac (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny has died, age 66". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Titan of stage and screen Jon Kenny passes away at 66". Limerick Post. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Insatiable". Irish Film Institute. 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  13. ^ McGuire, Kevin (24 July 2008). "Comedian Jon Kenny goes back to front at the Town Hall Theatre". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  14. ^ "Kenny's comedy takes more 'believable' path". Limerick Post. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  15. ^ Back to Front with Jon Kenny in Belmullet, Mayo Advertiser, 21 November 2008
  16. ^ Sheridan, Colette (28 May 2014). "Kenny stars in tale of puppetry, politics and greed". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Des is in tune with nature in first solo exhibition in 18 years". Tipperary Live. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ Steven (9 October 2023). "Irish Film Review: The Hurler: A Campion's Tale". Film Ireland. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  20. ^ McCurry, Cate (16 November 2024). "Irish president leads tributes to comedian and actor Jon Kenny". Express & Star. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  21. ^ Ainsworth, Paul (16 November 2024). "Tributes to comedian and D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny following death at age of 66". The Irish News. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  22. ^ Fitzgerald, Aine (24 December 2011). "D'Unbelievables Jon 'doing brilliantly' after triple bypass operation". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  23. ^ Sweeney, Ken (14 December 2011). "Comedian Kenny recovering after bypass surgery". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  24. ^ Wrona, Adrianna (16 November 2024). "'We are all devastated… I was lucky to spend so many years touring with Jon' – Pat Shortt leads tributes to his comedy partner Jon Kenny". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  25. ^ Watts, Matt; McCurry, Cate (16 November 2024). "Tributes pour in for Father Ted star Jon Kenny after death aged 66". Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Legendary Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny has died". Live95. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Legendary Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny passes away". Limerick Leader. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  28. ^ Gilbart, Manon; Gorman, Sally (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny dies, aged 66". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  29. ^ "Pat Shortt 'devastated' following death of Jon Kenny". RTÉ. 16 November 2024.
  30. ^ "The Genius Of D'Unbelievables In 'Back Of The Church'". Balls.ie. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  31. ^ "'Back to Front' fun with Jon Kenny". Irish Independent. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Local Studies". Limerick.ie. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  33. ^ "Preserving and Showcasing the Story of Limerick". Limerick Local Studies. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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