Saafir obit

Rapper Saafir Dead at 54

Saafir—the Oakland rapper born Reggie Gibson who released acclaimed albums like 1994's Boxcar Sessions and appeared in the 1993 film Menace II Society—died on Nov. 19. He was 54.  

He was not on the list.

The hip-hop world is mourning a tragic loss.

Saafir—an Oakland-based rapper known for his appearance in the 1993 film Menace II Society and for albums like 1994's Boxcar Sessions—died on Nov. 19, according to a statement from his longtime friend Xzibit. He was 54.

Saafir—born Reggie Gibson—passed away around 8:45 in the morning while surrounded by friends and family, per the "X" rapper.

"We have so much history I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now," Xzibit wrote in his statement shared to Instagram Nov. 19. "We surrounded him and let him know how much we loved him. He can rest now."

And the Pimp My Ride alum expressed empathy for the hurt Saafir's family must be feeling, saying, "Friends, Family, everyone that rocked with us from the Hip Hop community, if you could be so solid and reach out for @chopblack his younger brother, and @lilsaafir his son, the family really needs to be supported during this time."

"My soul is crushed," he added. "We love you Bro."

Saafir started making waves in the early 1990s for his work with the hip-hop crews Hobo Junction and Digital Underground, which he joined alongside his former roommate, the late Tupac Shakur.

But his career really took off in 1993 when he scored a role in the cult classic film Menace II Society, which also starred Jada Pinket Smith and Samuel L. Jackson. The following year, he earned a major record deal with the late Quincy Jones and achieved critical acclaim with his debut album, Boxcar Sessions.

Saafir went on to drop a handful of follow-up records before largely stepping away from the public eye due to ongoing health complications, including a cancerous tumor in his spinal cord that required multiple surgeries and left him unable to walk.

"I had to have the surgery to get the tumor out," the "Can-U-Feel-Me?" rapper told the San Francisco Bay Guardian in 2013. "The doctor told me that if I didn’t take it out, by the time I was in my later 40s I would probably be paralyzed. And it’s ironic because I did the surgery and I’m still kinda in that situation."

And though his challenging health journey may have removed himself from the spotlight, Saafir—who released his last album, Gold Blooded, Vol. 3, in 2020—continued to focus on his craft.

"I’m definitely writing about my experience, how I’m dealing with it and going through it," he said. "A lot of people look at my s--t from the ’90s and think I’m going to do the exact same s--t now and that’s just not reality. I’ve evolved as a person."

Saafir is survived by his son, the rapper known as Lil Saafir, and his brother, the MC known as Chop Black.  

He was also a member of the rap group Golden State Project (formerly known as Golden State Warriors) with Ras Kass and Xzibit.

Actor

Tamales and Gumbo (2015)

Tamales and Gumbo

7.1

Malik

2015

 

Daejahvu: Get Downt

Short

Guy in sky

2015

 

Now available @ Walmart.com and also available @ Amazon starting April 28th, 2015

Mercy for Angels

5.6

Max

2015

 

Dale Stelly, Saafir and Carl Washington made this movie happen. JC played by Dale Stelly.

JC in tha Hood

3.6

Angel Israel

2008

 

Dead Body

Chris

2007

 

Black Love (2007)

Black Love

1.3

Video

Male Host

2007

 

Saafir in Tha' Crib (2004)

Tha' Crib

3.7

Video

Demetrius

2004

 

Sweet Potato Pie (2004)

Sweet Potato Pie

3.3

Video

Mike Cappelo

2004

 

David Caruso, Eva LaRue, Rex Linn, Omar Benson Miller, Emily Procter, Adam Rodriguez, and Jonathan Togo in CSI: Miami (2002)

CSI: Miami

6.5

TV Series

Mega-G

2003

1 episode

 

The Guardian (2001)

The Guardian

7.4

TV Series

Raoul

2003

1 episode

 

Mýa: My First Night with You

Music Video

Saafir

1999

 

Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Terrence 'T.C.' Carson, Kim Coles, and John Henton in Living Single (1993)

Living Single

7.7

TV Series

Shakim

1997

1 episode

 

Digital Underground: The Return of the Crazy One

Music Video

Saafir

1993

 

Larenz Tate and Tyrin Turner in Menace II Society (1993)

Menace II Society

7.5

Harold Lawson

1993

 

Producer

Dale Stelly, Saafir and Carl Washington made this movie happen. JC played by Dale Stelly.

JC in tha Hood

3.6

producer

2008

Tony Campolo obit

Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed Red Letter Christian, has died

(RNS) — Known as a powerful evangelist and social justice preacher, Campolo had long advocated that Christian faith can transform the world — and people’s everyday lives. 

He was not on the list.

(RNS) — Tony Campolo, an American Baptist minister and sociologist who spent decades trying to convince evangelicals and other Christians that their faith should motivate them to address social ills like poverty and racism, has died.

He was 89.

A native of Philadelphia, Campolo was known for his charismatic preaching and sense of humor, which made him a popular speaker at college campuses, churches and Christian conferences — and equally at home giving an altar call or social commentary.

“Putting religion and politics together is like mixing ice cream with horse manure,” he told the comedian and television host Stephen Colbert in 2006. “It doesn’t hurt the horse manure; it ruins the ice cream. And I think that this merger of church and state has done great harm to religion.”

The author of 35 books, Campolo held degrees from Eastern University, Palmer Theological Seminary and Temple University. He taught sociology first at the University of Pennsylvania and then for decades at Eastern Christian College, where he was named professor emeritus. He also served as an associate pastor at Mount Carmel Baptist, a predominantly Black church in Philadelphia, and in 2019 was named a co-pastor of St. John’s Baptist.

Starting in the 1980s, with books such as “It’s Friday but Sunday’s Comin’,” “A Reasonable Faith,” “Who Switched the Price Tags” and “The Kingdom of God Is a Party,” Campolo showed a knack for reaching young people with the Christian gospel and then inspiring them to go out and work to change the world. In the process, he often challenged the religious right.

In 1985, he lost a speaking gig at Youth Congress, a national event in Washington, D.C., after critics complained his book “A Reasonable Faith” was heretical. A panel of evangelical theologians then “determined that Tony Campolo cannot rightly be called a heretic,” according to Christianity Today.

He eventually became a spiritual adviser to then-President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Campolo also founded a nonprofit called the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, which worked in several countries, including Haiti, from the early 1970s to 2014.

Ryan Burge, a former American Baptist pastor and an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, said Campolo carried forward the legacy of the social gospel.

“Tony Campolo was one of the most talented and sought-after preachers in the United States for several decades. He was able to speak to audiences from all corners of American Christianity — reminding them of the radical grace and forgiveness that is found in the Gospel,” Burge said.

The child of Italian American immigrants, Campolo said his belief that Christianity could change lives in this world — as well as saving people’s souls — grew out of his childhood.

In a 2016 online interview, he told the story of how a Baptist mission changed the course of his family’s life.

“My father couldn’t find a job and they were totally impoverished, and a Baptist mission in South Philadelphia reached out to them, got my father a job, got them a place to stay, put their feet on solid ground and really saved them from despair and destitution,” he recalled. “People often ask me: ‘Where did you get your social consciousness? Where did you get your commitment to the poor, before it was ever fashionable?’ My mother and father saw in the way they were treated by a group of Baptists that this is what Christianity is about. It’s not about getting a ticket to heaven, it’s about becoming an instrument of God to transform this world.”

In 2007, Campolo, along with author and activist Shane Claiborne, founded Red Letter Christians, a challenge to the conservative evangelical voting bloc. The name came from the practice of Bible publishers printing the words of Jesus in red ink — and highlighted the social and ethical teachings of Jesus. In 2012, Campolo was given a lifetime award from the National Youth Workers Convention for his work inspiring young people.

“As a result of Tony’s life of ministry and leadership he has left a legacy of encouragement and hope to youth workers and students everywhere,” the award read, according to an official bio of Campolo.

Campolo suffered a stoke in 2020, which partially paralyzed his left side. He suffered a previous stroke in 2002.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has influenced evangelicalism more than Tony Campolo in the last 50 years,” Claiborne told RNS at the time.

Campolo is survived by his wife, Peggy; his son, Bart; and daughter, Lisa.

J Saul Kane obit

Tributes paid after death of J Saul Kane, AKA Depth Charge: “A true trailblazer” 

The English DJ and musician is often credited as one of the founders of trip-hop

 He was not on the list.

Tributes have been paid following the passing of J Saul Kane, who has died aged 55.

Born in 1969, the English DJ and musician has recorded music since the late ‘80s, and worked under titles including The Octagon Man and Depth Charge.

Often credited as a pioneer for both thrip-hop and big beat, Kane made a name for himself for his experimental and groundbreaking use of samples in his work. Famously, he would often use samples from cult films – particularly in the martial arts and Spaghetti Western genres.

Later in his career, Kane went on to become the owner of two record labels, DC Recordings and Electron Industries, and released the 1990 single ‘Goal’, which was made in celebration of the Brazil football team.

While no official posts have been shared across any of his online platforms at time of writing, and details around his cause of death remain unknown, news of his passing has been shared widely, with countless fans and fellow artists taking to social media to pay their respects.

“Sad news that thudding Dub Master J Saul Kane has left the building,” wrote band The Soap Company on X/Twitter. “Depth Charge & Octagon Man head honcho. His colossal slates were staple in our DJ sets in the 90’s. The Man knew how to fill a floor…AND make it ripple. This was our fave. RIP Chief.”

Elsewhere, another fan hailed the artist as “a true trailblazer gone way too soon,” while someone else highlighted that his singles as Depth Charge “were miles ahead of the game”.

In a post on X, JD Twitch of Optimo (Espacio) shared an update calling Kane “an all time great UK producer”. Going on to share audio of ‘Free-er Than Free’ (Octagon Man) and ‘1st 12”’ (Depth Charge), he added: “He made so many great records but these two very early ones were just so far ahead of the pack at the time.”

Also taking to X/Twitter, another fan wrote: “His beatsmithery was second to none, often sampling obscure horror or martial arts films, or Brazilian football commentators such as the one here. A free thinker & lovely fella too. 55 is no age.

Website Dogs On Acid praised him as “iconic” and “hugely influential from the mid-’80s onwards”, while also recalling how DC Recordings became “one of the last small independents to survive as a going concern with full time staff before it became impossible.”

This is a developing story.

Arthur Frommer obit

Obituary: Arthur Frommer, guidebook and travel-media giant

 

He was not on the list.

Arthur Frommer, who built a travel media empire that included books, magazines, newspaper columns, television and radio, died Nov. 18 at age 95 from complications following pneumonia, according to his daughter, Pauline Frommer.

Helming one of the most recognized guidebook brands in the world, Frommer's influence on the traveling public over the past seven decades has been profound. More than 75 million guidebooks bearing the Frommer name have been sold since the mid-1950s.

His publishing career began when he was still a draftee in the U.S. Army, stationed in Europe. A polyglot who spoke German, Russian, French and Spanish, he took full advantage of his posting in Germany to travel extensively. In response to his fellow soldiers' curiosity about his adventures, he self-published "The G.I.'s Guide to Europe" in 1955. It quickly sold out in PXs across the continent

Two years later, the self-published "Europe on $5 a Day" made him a household name.

Frommer was a lawyer by training and worked on notable cases, including successfully defending D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatterley's Lover" against the U.S. Postal Service, which had refused to carry the novel on the grounds it was "pornographic." He also worked on a landmark California vs. Arizona water rights case.

Even after the success of "Europe on $5 a Day," he continued his law career. He worked on guidebooks as a side hustle for another five years before devoting full-time to writing and publishing.

He was at the time married to the actress Hope Arthur, and he enlisted many of her actor friends, including Gene Hackman, to work for his growing publishing company.

Tours and hotels

In 1962, Frommer launched $5-A-Day Tours, which visited London, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam and other world capitals. As part of Arthur Frommer International, it became one of the largest tour wholesalers of the day and presciently offered specialty tours, including "meet the locals" experiences which, in New York City, involved a visit to Frommer's own apartment.

In 1969, he built his first hotel in Amsterdam; these were followed in short order by Hotel Arthur Frommers in Curacao, Aruba and Copenhagen.

Airline deregulation hurt his tour operation badly and, in 1977, he was short of funds to bring passengers home. He quickly licensed the Frommer guides to Simon & Schuster to get the money to return the stranded travelers. The company's downfall significantly hurt his reputation among travel advisors.

TV, radio, magazines

Frommer hosted one of the first shows on the Travel Channel, which at the time was owned by TWA, and he also penned a newspaper column that was syndicated by King Features and appeared in newspapers around the world for decades.

His weekly radio show offering travel tips to callers ran on WOR in New York for over 20 years, though with a 10-year hiatus beginning in 1996 after the station hired controversial talk show host Bob Grant, whose racially tinged remarks offended Frommer deeply. He returned to the station in 2006 when Grant left and was joined by his daughter Pauline as cohost. She also became editor of the website www.frommers.com and created her own line of guidebooks.

In 1998, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine was founded. It was sold to Newsweek a year later, and Frommer stayed on as editor in chief until 2003, growing the circulation to 500,000. Newsweek parent The Washington Post Company sold it to BRG Investments in 2009. Its last print edition published in 2012.

Frommer also penned three editions of "The New World of Travel," which detailed the ways the travel experience was evolving.

Frommer remained actively involved with the guidebooks even as his eponymous brand changed hands and imprints many times after Simon & Schuster had acquired its license. It was even owned by Google for a year before Frommer reacquired it in 2013.

Arthur Bernard Frommer was born on July 17, 1929, in Campbell, Va., to recent immigrants Nathan Frommer and Pauline Frommer (nee Abrams). He spent most of his childhood in Jefferson City, Mo., where, as a preteen, he sold War Bonds over radio during World War II.

The family moved to New York when he was 14, and while in high school he worked as a copy boy for Newsweek. He initially enrolled at the University of Missouri but transferred to New York University, where he graduated. He received his law degree from Yale University.

Frommer is survived by his wife Roberta, daughter Pauline, stepdaughters Tracy Holder and Jill Guy and four grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 21 at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street, New York City and are open to the public.

Bob Love obit

Chicago Bulls mourn the passing of Bob Love

 

He was not on the list.

The Chicago Bulls mourn the passing of Bob Love, who passed away today in Chicago at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.

Bob was a true legend and a beloved member of our family. During his nine remarkable seasons with the Bulls. Bob was a three-time NBA All-Star, a tenacious defender, and a cornerstone of our team. With his No. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history, but Bob’s impact transcended basketball. He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and legacy both on and off the court in Chicago. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Emily, his family, and his many friends.

Additional information regarding memorial services will be shared at a later date.

JERRY REINSDORF, CHICAGO BULLS CHAIRMAN:

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Bob Love, a true Chicago Bulls legend and beloved human being. Bob is one of the original Bulls greats. During his nine seasons with the Bulls, Bob became a cornerstone of the franchise, and his tenacious defense set high standards for competition and toughness. Toughness was not only a trademark of Bob’s play on the court, but also apparent in his resiliency throughout his basketball career. His impact on the Bulls and the countless lives he touched through his work in the community will keep him in our memories forever.  We send our deepest condolences to Bob’s wife, Emily, and his entire family.  "

MICHAEL REINSDORF, CHICAGO BULLS CHAIRMAN & CEO:

"We are heartbroken by the loss of Bob Love, who leaves a legacy of excellence, resilience, and community impact.  Some of my first basketball memories were of Bob playing for the Bulls, and it was an honor to get to know him as a colleague and friend.  Bob worked for years for the Bulls as a community ambassador, spending countless hours sharing motivational messages with fans.  Bob will always be remembered for the kindness and determination he demonstrated throughout his career on and off the court, and his unwavering commitment to helping others."

The Bulls said Love died after a long battle with cancer.

Love averaged 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds during his nine seasons with the team.

“With his No. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history, but Bob’s impact transcended basketball,” the Bulls said in a statement. “He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and legacy both on and off the court in Chicago.”

Growing up in northern Louisiana, Love was one of 14 children. He was nicknamed “Butterbean” because he liked lima beans.

The 6-foot-8 Love starred at Southern University in Baton Rouge before he was selected by Cincinnati in the fourth round of the 1965 NBA draft. He played for the Royals for two seasons before he was taken by Milwaukee in the expansion draft in 1968.

Some of his former teammates and coaches include: Dick Motta, Oscar Robertson, Chet Walker, Freddie Lewis, Flynn Robinson, Jerry Lucas, Jon McGlocklin, Happy Hairston, Connie Dierking, Len Chappell, George Wilson, Walt Wesley, Jim Ware, Ed Rucker, Louis Jacobs, Bill Dinwiddie, Guy Rodgers, Tom Van Arsdale, John Tresvant, John E. Erickson, Larry Costello, Johnny Egan, Wayne Embry, Dave Gambee, Jay Miller, Bob Weiss, Tom Thacker, Dick Klein, Bob Boozer, Tom Boerwinkle, Jerry Sloan, Clem Haskins, Loy Petersen, Pat Williams, Ed Manning, Shaler Halimon, Bob Kauffman, Jim King, Matt Guokas, Johnny Baum, Jimmy Collins, Norm Van Lier,  Clifford Ray, Garfield Heard, Dennis Awtrey, Rick Adelman, Mickey Johnson, Nate Thurmond, Jack Marin and John Block.

 

Career history

1965–1966            Trenton Colonials

1966–1968            Cincinnati Royals

1968            Milwaukee Bucks

1968–1976            Chicago Bulls

1976–1977            New York Nets

1977    Seattle SuperSonics

Career highlights and awards

3× NBA All-Star (1971–1973)

2× All-NBA Second Team (1971, 1972)

3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1972–1974)

No. 10 retired by Chicago Bulls

EPBL Rookie of the Year (1966)

2× NAIA All-American (1963, 1965)

3× First-team All-SWAC (1963–1965)

No. 41 retired by Southern Jaguars

Career NBA statistics

Points   13,895 (17.6 ppg)

Rebounds            4,653 (5.9 rpg)

Assists  1,123 (1.4 apg)

Colin Peterson obit

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen: Bee Gees Drummer Dies at 78

 

He was not on the list.

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that bridged the worlds of music and film.

Known as the original drummer of the Bee Gees, Petersen played an integral role during the group, contributing to their global rise. His time with the group included performances on hits such as ‘Massachusetts’, ‘To Love Somebody’, and ‘Words’ and their early groundbreaking albums including Bee Gees’ 1st. Beyond this, he first captured the public’s imagination as a young actor, starring in the Australian film Smiley, which gave him his nickname.

In recent years, Petersen had found a new audience through his work with The Best of the Bee Gees tribute show, for which he did a career spanning interview with Jason Barnard of The Strange Brew Podcast in July 2022:

Colin on recording in The Bee Gees

As time went on we would arrive in the studio with no song and I would have that opportunity of just sitting with them suggesting different tempos and stuff like that. I think the fact that a lot of those tracks came from nothing gave the tracks a real spontaneity… We would work the songs up, the five of us as a team, and again I think that that’s why the songs sound so coordinated. We never recorded separately. The only separate thing was the orchestra coming in after we got all our overdubs done.

Oh my, we spent some time in the studio I can’t tell you. Sometimes we would go in there for four hours, the Gibbs would come up with nothing and we’d just pack it in and go home. Then we’d try again another day and maybe the creative juices were really running that night we might get down three backing tracks.

Colin on his approach to drumming

I was really quite imaginative with my playing, but there were a lot of lot of drummers at the time that were technically much more advanced than I was. Look, Chuck Berry only probably knew four chords, right? So sometimes when you’re limited you’ve got to be creative.. I think you can overdo the technique and you get to a stage where you can’t see the wood for the trees. I’ve always been a song guy with drumming.

He is survived by his ex-wife Joanne and their sons Jaime and Ben. He will be remembered for his warmth, wit, and unwavering passion for the arts.

The drummer, record producer and former child actor. He played as a member of the bands Steve and the Board, the Bee Gees and Humpy Bong. In August 1969, he left the Bee Gees and he was replaced by Pentangle drummer Terry Cox to record the songs for their 1970 album Cucumber Castle. His scenes from the film of the same name were cut, and he is not credited on the accompanying album soundtrack, even though he does play on some songs.

Frederick Colin Petersen began his acting career at the age of seven. When he was still nine years old in late 1955, he starred in the film Smiley (released in 1956), with Sir Ralph Richardson, but by the time he was 12 in 1958 he was forced to cease acting as his mother felt it was interfering with his education. Other film credits included The Scamp (1957), A Cry from the Streets (1958) and, much later, Barney (1976). In 1958, before his mother took him back to Australia to focus on his education, he was screen-tested for the part of the young hero in Tiger Bay, but the part eventually went to the then 12 years old Hayley Mills instead, the part being rewritten for a girl. He attended the Humpybong State School at the same time that Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb (they went to Scarborough State School first and later went to Humpybong). Petersen was in Barry's class, though they rarely crossed paths in any significant way. While at school he developed an interest in music, starting out on piano but switching to drums. (He had, however, already shown himself to be a talented drummer in the film The Scamp (1957). After leaving school he played with several bands including Steve and the Board and became acquainted with Maurice Gibb, who invited him to sit in on one of the Bee Gees' sessions in Sydney. He ended up becoming friends with the family and ultimately played on as many as a dozen of their early Australian sides.

Petersen moved to England in 1966, little knowing that the Bee Gees would soon be doing the same and they recruited him as their permanent drummer shortly afterwards – the first non-Gibb brother to become an official member of the Bee Gees. He played on the albums Bee Gees' 1st, Horizontal, Idea, Odessa and Cucumber Castle. He was an equal partner in the group from early in their period in the UK and the Gibb brothers regarded his playing as essential to their sound. He and fellow band member Vince Melouney, who played lead guitar and had also moved to the UK, had some trouble when, in the late summer of 1967, they were threatened with deportation because of an error in the way they had secured their visas. That problem was solved only by the intervention of the group's manager, Robert Stigwood, who mounted a publicity campaign that embarrassed the government into permitting them to remain in the UK. While he was a Bee Gee, he and Maurice Gibb wrote "Everything That Came From Mother Goose" with lead vocals and guitar by Petersen, but it was not released. Also in 1968, he played drums on the Marbles' debut single, "Only One Woman"

The first musician he worked with after leaving the Bee Gees was Jonathan Kelly. Petersen produced some of his early solo singles, and in 1970 the two decided to form a band together. It was called, Humpy Bong, a two-word variation of the name of the school that Petersen and the Gibb brothers attended in Australia. As they needed additional musicians, they placed an advertisement. Tim Staffell answered and he got the job as singer and harmonica player. The trio recorded their debut single and appeared on BBC Television's Top of the Pops. Before the end of 1970 the group broke up without having played any concerts.

 

Actor

David Normand, Joey Vieira, Ron Kelly, Shanan Withers, Angelique Christophorou, Connie Gallo, Richard Labrooy, Melinda Joan Reed, Guy Williams, Dave Beamish, Tahlia Jade Holt, Jonathan Creed, Katie Jewel Palacio, Luke McClean, and Chloe Bevan in The Devil May Care Trilogy Part 1: Blood (2018)

The Devil May Care Trilogy Part 1: Blood

Short

Advisor Daniel

2018

 

Sean Kramer and Brett Maxworthy in Lost in the Wild (1976)

Lost in the Wild

5.9

Second Man (uncredited)

1976

 

Cucumber Castle (1970)

Cucumber Castle

6.4

TV Movie

Man with Knife (scenes deleted)

1970

 

A Cry from the Streets (1958)

A Cry from the Streets

6.4

Georgie

1958

 

Strange Affection (1957)

Strange Affection

6.5

Tod (as Colin 'Smiley' Petersen)

1957

 

Smiley (1956)

Smiley

6.6

Smiley Greevins

1956

Ken Shorter obit

Australian actor Ken Shorter, known for his role in cult film Stone, dies aged 79

 

He was not on the list.

Australian actor Ken Shorter has died aged 79. His death has been confirmed by TV writer Nigel Giles on social media.

He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) of the actor's death: "Vale Ken Shorter, Australian actor who worked across stage + screen since the 1960s."

"Known for roles in iconic film + TV productions including You Can't See 'round Corners (1967/69) and Stone (1974) plus guest roles in everything from Play School to Number 96."

He ended the post by describing him as a "lovely bloke."

Giles' sentiments were shared alongside photos of the actor including in the iconic 1974 Stone movie, which is thought to have influenced the Mad Max series and cemented his cult status.

The 1999 documentary Stone Forever celebrated the film's 25th anniversary and impact on Australian culture. The movie was filmed in Sydney.

Stone was initially slammed by critics but found a huge audience once it hit cinemas and quickly gained a cult-like status.

Shorter also starred alongside Mick Jagger in the 1970s film Ned Kelly and was also part of the cast of Hollywood's Dragonheart: A New Beginning.

He also starred in several Australian and British TV shows including Boney to Riptide and Bellbird.

After a stint on Play School, Shorter appeared in several more TV shows including Number 96, Matlock Police, Homicide, and Division 4. He also starred in The Bill, Casualty and Persuasion.

Shorter also starred in theatre productions including Death of a Salesman

Shorter lived in both Australia and England throughout his career and during his many roles.

While Shorter's cause of death isn't known, it is understood he suffered from several years of declining health after his retirement from acting in 2018.

Shorter was notoriously private about life away from the screen and it isn't known if he married or had children or has any surviving relatives.

Actor

Martin Herdman in Sink (2018)

Sink

6.9

Vic

2018

 

Guy Henry in Holby City (1999)

Holby City

5.8

TV Series

Martin Riley

2007

1 episode

 

Oscar Charlie

7.2

TV Series

Biker

2001

2 episodes

 

Dragonheart: A New Beginning (1999)

Dragonheart: A New Beginning

4.5

Video

The King

1999

 

Colin Blumenau, Nula Conwell, Peter Ellis, Trudie Goodwin, Jon Iles, Gary Olsen, Eric Richard, John Salthouse, Tony Scannell, Jeff Stewart, Mark Wingett, and Delia Swan in The Bill (1984)

The Bill

6.7

TV Series

Donald Varney

Wiliam Mobley

Heckler

1990–1998

3 episodes

 

Praise (1998)

Praise

6.7

Male Nurse

1998

 

Casualty (1986)

Casualty

6.1

TV Series

Musician

John

1986–1996

2 episodes

 

Ciarán Hinds and Amanda Root in Persuasion (1995)

Persuasion

7.7

TV Movie

Lady Dalrymple's Butler

1995

 

Michael Craig and Denise Roberts in G.P. (1989)

G.P.

7.4

TV Series

Paul Ricketson

1992

1 episode

 

Alphonsia Emmanuel, Ian Hogg, and Joe McGann in Rockliffe's Babies (1987)

Rockliffe's Babies

7.3

TV Series

Lorry Driver

1987

1 episode

 

The Ploughman's Lunch (1983)

The Ploughman's Lunch

6.2

Squash Coach

1983

 

Kathy Burke and Chrissie Cotterill in Scrubbers (1982)

Scrubbers

5.6

Rex

1982

 

4D Special Agents (1981)

4D Special Agents

6.7

Eddie

1981

 

Peter MacNicol and Caitlin Clarke in Dragonslayer (1981)

Dragonslayer

6.6

Henchman

1981

 

...Maybe This Time (1980)

...Maybe This Time

6.2

Alan

1980

 

Leave Him to Heaven

TV Movie

Eddie

1979

 

Ripping Yarns (1976)

Ripping Yarns

7.8

TV Series

1st Mutinous Officer

1979

1 episode

 

Number 96 (1972)

Number 96

7.1

TV Series

Duncan Swann

1977

4 episodes

 

Sunday Too Far Away (1975)

Sunday Too Far Away

6.9

Frankie Davis

1975

 

Ken Shorter in The Forward Pack (1974)

The Forward Pack

TV Movie

Frank Scully

1974

 

Ken Shorter in Stone (1974)

Stone

6.3

Stone

1974

 

Moving On

Alan

1974

 

Boney (1972)

Boney

8.3

TV Series

Vic Vickery

1973

1 episode

 

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

TV Movie

1972

 

Paul Cronin in Matlock Police (1971)

Matlock Police

7.5

TV Series

Martin Daly

1971

1 episode

 

Homicide (1964)

Homicide

7.5

TV Series

Rod Smith

Danny Baker

1968–1970

2 episodes

 

Ned Kelly (1970)

Ned Kelly

5.1

Aaron Sherritt

1970

 

Ken Shorter and Barbara Stephens in The Torrents (1969)

The Torrents

TV Movie

1969

 

Patricia Smith in Division 4 (1969)

Division 4

8.3

TV Series

Dave Gibbs

1969

1 episode

 

Skippy (1968)

Skippy

6.4

TV Series

Tim

1969

1 episode

 

Ty Hardin in Riptide (1969)

Riptide

7.8

TV Series

Ross

1969

1 episode

 

You Can't See 'round Corners (1969)

You Can't See 'round Corners

6.6

Frankie McCoy

1969

 

Bellbird (1967)

Bellbird

8.2

TV Series

Duncan Ross

1968

83 episodes

 

You Can't See Round Corners (1967)

You Can't See Round Corners

7.7

TV Series

Frankie McCoy

1967

26 episodes

 

Adventures of the Seaspray (1966)

Adventures of the Seaspray

8.4

TV Series

2nd Youth (as Kenneth Shorter)

1967

1 episode

Howard Hughes obit

Former BBC radio presenter Howard Hughes dies

 

He was not on the list.

Former BBC Radio Berkshire newsreader and presenter Howard Hughes has died.

Hughes was the first voice heard on the radio station when it launched in 1992, before going on to read the news on the Capital Breakfast Show, working alongside Chris Tarrant.

He later started a podcast called The Unexplained, exploring space, science and the paranormal.

An announcement on the podcast's website on Saturday said the "beloved and respected" presenter had died a week ago.

Adam Cornwell, who helped produce Hughes’ podcast for sixteen years, said in the post that Hughes left behind a huge archive and legacy.

He wrote: "It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Howard Hughes, the beloved and respected creator of The Unexplained With Howard Hughes and a dear friend who sadly died a week ago."

In a recorded audio message on the page, he said the presenter had died after a short illness.

He added: "He wasn’t simply a presenter, he was a friend to those who tuned in, a guide who journeyed with them through the unknown and, for long-time listeners, a constant through life’s good and bad times.

"Howard will be forever missed but never forgotten."

Throughout his career, Hughes interviewed celebrities like David Bowie and Lionel Richie, as well as high profile figures such as Tony Blair when he was the UK prime minister.

He also covered the death of Princess Diana and the 7/7 London terror attack in 2005.

'What a voice'

Paying tribute to Hughes, BBC Radio Berkshire's executive editor Duncan McLarty said: "Howard had an unforgettably smooth voice, genuine warmth and a deep love of radio which was obvious to colleagues and listeners."

In a post on X, former BBC Radio Berkshire breakfast presenter Andrew Peach described Hughes as a "dear friend".

He wrote: "He made every word, every syllable, count and was the master of morning bulletins."

Steve Penk, Capital's former mid-morning presenter, posted: "He was one of the best broadcasters I’ve ever worked with, he was a joy, lightning-fast, great sense of humour and, of course, that voice."

David Lloyd, co-founder of Boom Radio, added Hughes had been a "huge figure" in commercial radio.

"What a voice - and he knew how to command an audience with it," he said.

Very early in his career, Hughes worked at a pirate radio station, Radio Nova, in the Republic of Ireland. He then worked at Radio Wyvern, a radio station in Worcester, England; his activities in his time at the station included newsreading and newsgathering, presenting the breakfast show and presenting the afternoon show. In 1988, he left the station and began working at County Sound in Guildford.

Hughes moved to presenting the news for Independent Radio News in the early 1990s, and following this he worked at BBC Radio Berkshire, a station which he would return to many years later. After this, he worked at Capital Radio in London on the station's breakfast show, which was presented by Chris Tarrant. He presented the show's news bulletins, which included presenting the news on location when the show travelled to other countries.

In the early half of the 2000s, Hughes provided voiceovers for TV shows in the UK, including Cilla's Moment of Truth and Simply The Best. In around 2000, Hughes started being the voiceover for the British Comedy Awards; he held this role for at least five years.

Hughes then worked at LBC, talkSPORT and Smooth Radio; whilst at talkSPORT, he presented a show about unexplained events called The Unexplained. The show continued as a podcast after it was dropped by talkSPORT, and a separate radio version of the show was broadcast on talkRADIO on Sunday late evenings and Monday early mornings from early 2016 until 2023 or 2024.

In 2014, Hughes started presenting a show on BBC Radio Berkshire which was broadcast between 6 am and 8 am on Saturdays. This show ended in 2019. Hughes also read the news on the station's weekday breakfast show, which was hosted by Andrew Peach.

Paul Teal obit

Paul Teal Dies: ‘One Tree Hill’ Actor Was 35; Co-Stars Bethany Joy Lenz & Sophia Bush Pay Tribute

 

He was not on the list.

Paul Teal, an actor with a recurring role on One Tree Hill, has died. He was 35.

Teal’s partner, Emilia Torello, shared a post on social media confirming the actor’s death, which happened on Friday, November 15.

“The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away,” Torello posted on Instagram. “Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future. You filled my lungs with laughter, my stomach with butterflies, and my heart with love. You were taken too soon, in a battle that you fought bravely without fail.”

Torello continued, “While a part of me died with you, I promise to fight to find joy in life as hard as you fought to live every single day. The world is lucky to have even had a moment with Paul Teal, and I am the luckiest person in it, because I got to call you mine. I will love you forever.”

Teal played Josh on One Tree Hill for seven episodes. Co-star Sophia Bush remembered Teal on Instagram Stories writing, “Incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Paul Teal. We are just starting to watch his OTH episodes on Drama Queens [podcast] and he’s such a talent.”

Bethany Joy Lenz paid tribute to the late actor with a heartfelt Instagram post.

“My heart is heavy. Paul Teal was the kind of guy who lit up a room without trying. His bright smile, infectious laugh and kind heart made you want to be near him,” Lenz wrote.

Lenz shared that she “worked closely with Paul” as he played Noah in a musical production of The Notebook in 2006, adding, “He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage. Wow. Like his second skin. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. Later, I was giddy to be directing an episode of One Tree Hill where I’d get to cast a new recurring character, Josh- the sleazy movie star. With his self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to dive fully into any character, Paul was perfect for the part. He was a joy to work with in any environment and so generous.”

“We stayed in touch on and off. I wish it had been more. I wish I’d called all those times I meant to but got distracted. Life is short. I keep thinking that this week. Life is short,” she added.

Aside from One Tree Hill, Teal had small roles on shows like Good Behavior (2016), Shots Fired (2017), Dynasty (2019), The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020), USS Christmas (2020), Outer Banks (2021), American Rust (2021), Deep Water (2022), The Staircase (2022), George & Tommy (2023), Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), Lilly (2024).

Teal is also part of the cast of The Hunting Wives, where he is set to play Pastor Pete in the Starz series expected to premiere in 2025.

 

Actor

The Hunting Wives

Pastor Pete

Post-productionTV Series

2025

6 episodes

 

1st Memory

Cameron

Post-productionShort

 

Lilly (2024)

Lilly

Timothy Granger

2024

 

Brandy Norwood, Malia Baker, Morgan Dudley, Rita Ora, China Anne McClain, Ruby Rose Turner, Kylie Cantrall, and Dara Reneé in Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024)

Descendants: The Rise of Red

4.7

Aviator

2024

 

Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain in George & Tammy (2022)

George & Tammy

7.5

TV Series

Back-Up Vocalist #1

2023

1 episode

 

Colin Firth and Toni Collette in The Staircase (2022)

The Staircase

7.1

TV Mini Series

Brad Wolgamott

2022

3 episodes

 

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas in Deep Water (2022)

Deep Water

5.5

Deputy Clark

2022

 

Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney in American Rust (2021)

American Rust

7.3

TV Series

Deputy #2

2021

1 episode

 

Madelyn Cline, Carlacia Grant, J.D., Madison Bailey, Drew Starkey, Chase Stokes, and Rudy Pankow in Outer Banks (2020)

Outer Banks

7.5

TV Series

Crewman

2021

2 episodes

 

Sadie Sink in Fear Street: Part Two - 1978 (2021)

Fear Street: Part Two - 1978

6.7

Young Officer Kapinski

2021

 

Barbara Niven, Trevor Donovan, and Jen Lilley in USS Christmas (2020)

USS Christmas

6.6

TV Movie

Dan

2020

 

The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020)

The Walking Dead: World Beyond

4.5

TV Series

Walter

2020

1 episode

 

Grant Show, Daniella Alonso, Robert Christopher Riley, Elizabeth Gillies, Rafael de la Fuente, and Sam Adegoke in Dynasty (2017)

Dynasty

7.2

TV Series

Male Reporter

2019

1 episode

 

Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James in Shots Fired (2017)

Shots Fired

6.7

TV Series

Male Moder Supporter

2017

1 episode

 

Juan Diego Botto and Michelle Dockery in Good Behavior (2016)

Good Behavior

8.0

TV Series

Steve

2016

1 episode

 

Kimmy Foskett, Luísa Fidalgo, and Liza Renzulli in Psychodrama (2013)

Psychodrama

TV Series

Friendly Choker

2013

1 episode

 

Sophia Bush, James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Chad Michael Murray, and Hilarie Burton Morgan in One Tree Hill (2003)

One Tree Hill

7.8

TV Series

Josh

Actor Max

2010

7 episodes

Eileen Kramer obit

Dancer Eileen Kramer, 'longest living woman in NSW', dies aged 110

She was not on the list. 

Eileen Kramer, believed to be the oldest woman in NSW, has died on Friday aged 110.

Born in 1914, Ms Kramer spent her life as a dancer and choreographer, working across the world.

She died "peacefully" and was described as a "trailblazer" and "true creative spirit" by her legal enduring guardians.

Eileen Stellar Kramer, a woman considered a "trailblazer" and national treasure, has died on Friday aged 110.

The artist, dancer, choreographer and writer celebrated her birthday last week and was the oldest woman in New South Wales, according to her loved ones.

Born in Sydney on November 8, 1914, Ms Kramer spent the majority of her life performing around Australia and the world.

Ms Kramer became involved in the Bodenwieser Ballet in her late 20s, an institution considered to be the country's first modern dance company.

"I was about 24, I was taken to see a performance of the Bodenwieser Ballet that had recently come from central Europe and I fell in love with it straight away," she said in 2023.

Within three years, she became a member of the company.

Over her career, she also worked and lived in India, Paris, London and New York.

Ms Kramer returned to Sydney aged 99 following a 20-year period away from dancing to care for her ailing husband.

Shortly after returning to NSW, she was named ambassador for the Arts Health Institute, with the national advocacy body financially supporting her to continue her work.

The same group also viewed Ms Kramer as a national treasure.

In 2017, at 103, Ms Kramer choreographed and performed in the production A Buddha's Wife as the 17-year-old princess.

In a statement, Ms Kramer's legal enduring guardians described her as a "trailblazer" and "true creative spirit" and said she died "peacefully".

"She will be dearly missed by those who knew her and those inspired by her across the world," they said.

"She is the last dancer of the Bodenwieser era, she was the longest living woman in NSW and most likely the longest living dancer internationally."

Al Ferrara obit

Al Ferrara, 2-time World Series winner with Dodgers, dies at 84

 

He was not on the list.

Former outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He was 84.

Ferrara was part of Dodgers' world championship teams in 1963 and 1965 and also hit 27 total homers over two-plus seasons with the San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1971.

"We are saddened to hear the news of Al Ferrara's passing today," said Stan Kasten, the Dodgers president and CEO. "Not only was Al a memorable player for the Dodgers in the 1960s, but he tirelessly supported the Dodgers community efforts and was one of our most committed alumni supporters. We extend our sympathies to his family."

Ferrara was named the Dodgers' MVP in 1967 when he batted .277 with 16 homers and 50 RBIs in 122 games.

Following the 1968 season, Ferrara was chosen in the expansion draft by the Padres and was the prime left fielder for the franchise during their first two seasons. He batted .260 with 14 homers and 56 RBIs in 1969 and hit .277 with 13 homers and 51 RBIs in 1970. He played 138 games both seasons.

The Padres traded Ferrara to the Cincinnati Reds in May 1971. Ferrara retired after the season.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Ferrara batted .259 with 51 homers and 198 RBIs in 574 games with the Dodgers (1963, 1965 to 1968), Padres (1969 to 71) and Reds.

During his playing career, Ferrara landed guest acting roles on popular series such as "Gilligan's Island" and "Batman."

Ferrara served as an alumni ambassador for the Dodgers since 2009 and was still making appearances for the organization this year.

Alfred Ferrara Jr. was born on December 22, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, to Al Ferrara Sr. and his wife Adele. Al Sr. was a New York City fireman for 20 years who later was an air conditioning technician for Chase Bank before working the gate at Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Country Club in Florida in his retirement. Adele Ferrara, a homemaker, died when Al Jr. was 17, leaving her mother, Assunta Paulucci, in charge of Al and his twin siblings Frank and Theodora, who were 12 at the time.

As a youth he was also an accomplished piano player. "I never wanted to play the piano, I wanted to play baseball," Ferrara said. "But a first-generation Italian woman like my grandmother didn't know anything about baseball, so I had to play the piano, starting at age eight. I learned the classics. Mr. Morvillo insisted that I read music and play the pieces as they were written by Beethoven and Bach. I got pretty good and I learned to use piano to do what I wanted to do. I had a deal with my grandmother that after playing for an hour she would give me a quarter to go to the Bat Away at Coney Island. In those days you could hit about 25 balls for a quarter. After a while I got a reputation as a pretty good hitter and men would come around when I was hitting and put more quarters in the machine so I could hit for maybe a half-hour. Finally, I got my grandmother to agree that if I were to become Mr. Morvillo's number one student I could give up piano and play baseball. He would have showcase recitals at Carnegie Hall, and the number one student would play last. When I was 16, I went on last as the number one student, kissed my grandmother, and never touched the piano again." Ferrara attended Lafayette High School (New York City) where he was a high school classmate of Bob Aspromonte and played sandlot baseball with Joe Torre and Joe Pepitone. The summer of 1957 was a turning point for Ferrara. He did well enough for the amateur traveling team Dodger Rookies that Dodgers' scout Buck Lai, who was also the athletic director at Long Island University, arranged for Ferrara to get a baseball scholarship to LIU. After a successful season there, he signed a $9,000 bonus contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958.

Ferrara made his major league debut at age 23 on July 23, 1963, in a 5–1 Dodgers' loss to the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. His first hit was in his third game, off Dick Ellsworth. His first homer the next day, off Bob Buhl, was one of three hit by the Dodgers in the fifth inning of a 5–4 loss to the Cubs.

He did not play in the 1963 World Series. He came up again in 1965 for 41 games but again saw no action in the 1965 World Series.

In 1966, he had one of his best seasons. He played in 63 games with 129 plate appearances, hitting .270, and playing in the 1966 World Series, in which he had one hit in one at bat, a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning of Game 4 off of Dave McNally.

In 1967 he had his most productive season to-date. In 384 plate appearances, he hit 16 home runs (a career high) with 50 runs batted in and a .277 average. He was voted Dodger of the Year. "I was young, fun and wacky, and I had L.A. in my hands," he said. Ferrara appeared on episodes of Gilligan’s Island and Batman through connections with fans in show business and through former teammate Lee Walls, who had become a talent agent. "That all came from being a player. I wasn't willing to put in the effort to pursue a real acting career."

Actor

Dracula's Dog (1977)

Dracula's Dog

4.4

Deputy

1977

 

Mansion of the Doomed (1976)

Mansion of the Doomed

5.4

Al

1976

 

Robert Blake in Baretta (1975)

Baretta

6.7

TV Series

Pasquale

1975

1 episode

 

Adam West and Burt Ward in Batman (1966)

Batman

7.5

TV Series

Atlas

Trap Door

1967–1968

3 episodes

 

Mimsy Farmer, Michael Evans, Schuyler Hayden, Laurie Mock, Hortense Petra, and Tim Rooney in Riot on Sunset Strip (1967)

Riot on Sunset Strip

5.0

Musician (uncredited)

1967

 

Jim Backus, Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Tina Louise, Russell Johnson, Natalie Schafer, and Dawn Wells in Gilligan's Island (1964)

Gilligan's Island

7.4

TV Series

Native

1967

1 episode

Jon Kenny obit

Legendary Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny passes away

Sadness at passing of Hospital performer

 

He was not on the list.

LEGENDARY Limerick actor Jon Kenny has passed away at the age of 66.

His wife Margy confirmed the sad news to Limerick Live this Saturday morning.

Jon passed away in University Hospital Galway on Friday evening.

The Hospital native is best known as one half of the famous comic duo d'Unbelievables with Pat Shortt, while he also appeared in the breakout Irish hit film The Banshees of Inisheerin. Latterly he lived in Lough Gur.

Pat Shortt posted on X this Saturday evening: "We are all devastated with the news of Jon's 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 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."

He also starred in Les Misérables and was a popular figure in theatres both locally and nationally.

A jack of all trades, he has been an actor, a comedian, a writer and latterly a poet.

Even this Saturday night, he was scheduled to perform at The Schoolyard Theatre in Charleville, the venue announcing the cancellation of the event earlier in the week.

Jon had spoken openly about his health struggles. In the early 2000s, he was treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and also suffered from heart failure.

There is intense sadness following the tragic news, with Bruff solicitor and former Fine Gael councillor Bill O'Donnell saying: "This is a great tragedy. I am very sad for his family. I am particularly saddened becuase mine and Jon's family have a long history together."

"This will be a great shock to the community and the community will be very saddened by this event. Jon not only was a public man, he was also a very good friend and neighbour. While we have known he has had bad health in the past, this has come as a total shock to all of us," he said.

"A born comedian and actor with such a wit, and he will be sadly missed," was the verdict of Cllr Noreen Stokes.

A number of people have also paid tribute to the performer on the social network X, formerly Twitter.

One person wrote: "So sad to hear of the passing of Jon Kenny, a true legend from D'Unbelievables and a cherished local figure. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of laughter and memories. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Jon."

Cllr Conor Sheehan wrote: "Devastated to hear of the untimely passing of Jon Kenny, a Limerick legend. We were privileged to have him grand marshal our St Patrick’s Day Parade in 2023. He brought much joy to many through d’Unbelievables and latterly as Gerry in the Banshees of Inisherin. Taken too soon."

And Cllr Olivia O'Sullivan described him as "a staple of the stage in Limerick for as long as I can remember."

Taoiseach Simon Harris added: "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."

It was his health struggles which brought a premature end to his hugely successful partnership with comedian Pat Shortt.

Earlier this year, the celebrated actor revealed he was undergoing chemotherapy after cancer was detected on his left lung.

He said it was the second time cancer was found on his lung after it was operated on four years previously.

Only last year, Jon cycled through Limerick as he played a starring role in the St Patrick's Day parade, as its grand marshal.

Speaking at the time he said: “Being part of this society or community, this greater thing called Limerick you just begin to identify, I suppose we are part of a tribe, in a nice way.”

“It’s brilliant to feel you belong to part of something and to carry it with you in your work when you go away. It’s amazing no matter where I’ve been or performed whether you are in New York or Toronto or London or Belfast or any place or even in Dublin people come up to you and they say ‘you’re from Limerick aren’t you?’”

“I’m part of that group of people like a lot of people from County Limerick who are artists and musicians who have to travel for a living and so we do carry Limerick with us no matter where we go and with great pride.”

Jon Kenny is survived by his wife Margie, daughter Laya, son Aaron and his wider family.

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

Actor

Tony Kelly in The Hurler: A Campion's Tale (2023)

The Hurler: A Campion's Tale

7.1

Billy Byrne

2023

 

Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

The Banshees of Inisherin

7.7

Gerry

2022

 

Eva Whittaker and Honor Kneafsey in Wolfwalkers (2020)

Wolfwalkers

8.0

Stringy Woodcutter, Ned (voice)

2020

 

Jon Kenny in Love Her Bones (2019)

Love Her Bones

Short

Tom Kenneflick

2019

 

Pat (2016)

Pat

Short

Pat

2016

 

Ronan Leahy, Barry Keoghan, and Jacob Lea in The Break (2015)

The Break

5.9

Short

Derek

2015

 

Jon Kenny in All Washed Up (2014)

All Washed Up

Short

Johnaton Renmore

2014

 

Lucy O'Connell in Song of the Sea (2014)

Song of the Sea

8.0

Ferry Dan

The Great Seanachaí (voice)

2014

 

Brendan O'Carroll in Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie (2014)

Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie

4.2

Cunningham

2014

 

Escape of the Gingerbread Man!!! (2011)

Escape of the Gingerbread Man!!!

6.5

Short

Paul

Storyteller

Kids (voice)

2011

 

Insatiable (2008)

Insatiable

7.3

Mr Harvey

2008

 

Dick Dickman P.I. (2008)

Dick Dickman P.I.

7.6

2008

 

40 Myles On: A Night of Irish Comedy (2007)

40 Myles On: A Night of Irish Comedy

Video

2007

 

Eamonn Owens and Pat Shortt in The Fitz (2000)

The Fitz

7.7

TV Series

John F

2000

6 episodes

 

Angela's Ashes (1999)

Angela's Ashes

7.3

Lavatory Man

1999

 

D'Telly (1998)

D'Telly

8.7

Video

1998

 

Claire Danes, Uma Thurman, Liam Neeson, and Geoffrey Rush in Les Misérables (1998)

Les Misérables

7.4

Thénardier

1998

 

Angela Mooney (1996)

Angela Mooney

5.4

Chaplin

1996

 

The Van (1996)

The Van

6.7

Gerry McCarthy

1996

 

Frank Kelly, Pauline McLynn, Dermot Morgan, and Ardal O'Hanlon in Father Ted (1995)

Father Ted

8.7

TV Series

Fred Rickwood

Michael Cocheese

1995–1996

2 episodes

 

A Song for Europe

TV Movie

Bert - Chicken Suit singer

1991

 

Writer

D'Mother (2001)

D'Mother

8.6

Video

Writer

2001

 

D'Video

8.5

Video

Writer

1996

 

One Hell of a Do

Video

Writer

1994

 

Music Department

D'Mother (2001)

D'Mother

8.6

Video

guitar

2001

 

D'Telly (1998)

D'Telly

8.7

Video

guitar

1998