Jon Kenny, Beloved Comedian and Actor, Passes Away at 66: A Tribute to His Legacy

Jon Kenny, a comedian and actor known for his work in the comedy duo D’Unbelievables with Pat Shortt, has died at the age of 66. He had been receiving treatment for cancer and heart failure this year.

Kenny, born in County Limerick, became famous in the 1990s for portraying quirky Irish characters alongside Shortt. The duo’s performances gained them nationwide and international recognition.

His acting credits include a memorable role in the Father Ted episode “A Song for Europe” and films such as The Van, Les Misérables (1998), Angela’s Ashes, Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie, Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers, and The Banshees of Inisherin, where he reunited with Shortt.

Kenny was not only an actor but also an acclaimed singer and poet. He performed in stage productions like John B Keane’s The Matchmaker, Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer at The Abbey Theatre, and Katie Holly’s dark comedy Crowman. In Crowman, he showcased his talent by playing ten different characters in a one-man show.

In an interview on The Oliver Callan Show in April, he reflected on his career, saying, “I don’t know how I’m even here! I’ve been bluffing all my life!” He mentioned he never had a normal job and lacked formal training.

Discussing D’Unbelievables, he expressed gratitude for their success: “We were so lucky. It just kept growing.” He described the surprise of going from performing in small venues to sold-out shows in Vicar Street and The Tivoli.

Kenny shared his experience with health issues, revealing he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the early 2000s. He underwent a stem cell transplant and faced recurrence of cancer in recent years. He also experienced heart failure after chemotherapy but chose to stay positive and continue with his life. “What else can you do?” he said.