Jon Kenny

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title: "Jon Kenny" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1957-births", "2024-deaths", "actors-with-dyslexia", "deaths-from-congestive-heart-failure", "deaths-from-lung-cancer-in-ireland", "irish-impressionists-(entertainers)", "irish-male-comedians", "irish-male-soap-opera-actors", "irish-singers", "irish-theatre-people", "male-actors-from-county-limerick", "1980s-in-irish-comedy", "1990s-in-irish-comedy", "2000s-in-irish-comedy", "2010s-in-irish-comedy", "2020s-in-irish-comedy"] description: "Irish comedian and actor (1957–2024)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Kenny" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Irish comedian and actor (1957–2024) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox comedian"]

Field	Value
image	Jon Kenny (3x4 cropped).jpg
caption	Kenny in 2014
birth_name	Jon Kenny
birth_date
birth_place	Hospital, County Limerick, Ireland
death_date
death_place	Galway, County Galway, Ireland
medium
years_active	1972–2023
spouse
children	2
notable_work
website
::

| image = Jon Kenny (3x4 cropped).jpg | caption = Kenny in 2014 | birth_name = Jon Kenny | birth_date = | birth_place = Hospital, County Limerick, Ireland | death_date = | death_place = Galway, County Galway, Ireland | medium = | years_active = 1972–2023 | spouse = | children = 2 | notable_work = | website =

Jon Kenny (28 September 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. 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.

Early life

Jon Kenny was born in Hospital, County Limerick, on 28 September 1957. His mother's maiden name is Dirraine and his maternal grandparents came from Inishmore in the Aran Islands. He started his career in , aged 15, performing with the Limerick band Gimik before switching to acting.

Career

Kenny had dyslexia and never received formal training.

He played two characters in separate episodes of Father Ted: Michael Cocheese in "The Passion of Saint Tibulus" and Fred Rickwood in "A Song for Europe". He later said that the famous protest scenes in the first episode were influenced by a priest he had known when he was a boy.

Kenny filmed a lead role in the independent Irish feature film Insatiable, directed by Jessie Kirby. On his 2007 DVD, Back to Front, Kenny said he played his first serious role in the film, the "nastiest man in Ireland".

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

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.

Kenny portrayed the character Gerry in The Banshees of Inisherin in 2022. One of his last acting appearances was in The Hurler: A Campion's Tale in 2023, appearing as the main character hurler Gar Campion's coach and mentor.

Kenny, along with Shortt, as part of D'Unbelievables, won the Meteor Music Award in 2001 in the Best Selling Irish Video category for his work on "D'Mother". Kenny, along with castmates Kerry Condon, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Gary Lydon, Bríd Ní Neachtain and Pat Shortt, was nominated for the by the in the Best Ensemble category for his work on The Banshees of Inisherin in 2023. He was also nominated for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble in 2022 for his work on the film.

Kenny was also an accomplished singer, having performed with Sharon Shannon.

Personal life, illness and death

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Jon_Kenny_and_Seán_Kelly.jpg" caption="Seán Kelly]] in 2014"] ::

Kenny married Marguerite in 1988 and the couple went on to have two children. He was a supporter of Munster Rugby.

Kenny was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2000 and received a stem cell transplant. He was fully treated in 2004. In 2011, Kenny underwent a triple heart bypass and suffered from heart failure afterwards. His cancer recurred in 2020 and he had lung surgery. From 2023, Kenny received chemotherapy after cancer was detected on his left lung. Additionally, he also underwent heart surgery.

On 15 November 2024, Kenny died, aged 67, from heart failure and lung cancer at the Galway Clinic in Ireland. He had suffered from a heart attack on 10 November and never regained consciousness. He was buried at the Lough Gur Cemetery on 19 November, after a funeral at St Patrick's Church, Patrickswell.

Filmography

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	Nighthawks	Self	1 episode (12 February 1991)
1992	It's Bibi	Self	1 episode (24 November 1992)
1994	One Hell of a Do	Self	Writer
1994	url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0722/632317-dunbelievables-on-gortnaclune/	work=RTÉ Libraries and Archives	title=Pat Shortt And Jon Kenny
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	last=Collins	first=Liam	date=16 November 2024
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	Hanging with Hector		Season 2
Featured along with Ken Doherty
2005	D'Collection		Compilation
2005	The Restaurant	Head Chef	1 episode: Season 3 Episode 5
2006	The Podge and Rodge Show		1 episode: Season 1 Episode 6
Co-guest with Frances Black
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
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	Final role
::

Awards and nominations

::data[format=table]

Year	Association	Category	Work	Result	Reference
2001	Meteor Music Awards	Best Selling Irish Video	D'Mother
2022	Critics' Choice Movie Awards	Best Acting Ensemble	The Banshees of Inisherin
2023		Best Ensemble	The Banshees of Inisherin
2023	International Online Cinema Awards	Best Ensemble Cast	The Banshees of Inisherin
::

References

References

1. (2 November 2009). "COMEDY Duo d'unbelievable Jon Kenny has two Mayo dates".
2. Friel, Jenny. (20 September 2002). "D'unbeaten Jon is back.(News)".
3. Tallant, Nicola. (30 November 2000). "My cancer battle by comic Jon.(News)".
4. (20 November 2024). "Jon Kenny obituary: Portraits of Irish eccentricity that mingled hilarity with sadness". The Irish Times.
5. Pope, Conor. (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny, 'an entertainer to his core', dies aged 66". [[The Irish Times]].
6. Lynch, Richard. (24 October 2019). "Jon Kenny stars in new play Crowman on Saturday, November 2".
7. McGrath, Niall. (22 November 2011). "Jon Kenny".
8. Lynch, Richard. (16 November 2024). "Beloved Limerick iconic actor and comedian Jon Kenny, dies aged 66".
9. (19 June 2013). "In the final programme of The Family Project comedian Jon Kenny helps 9 year old Kieran".
10. Eugene. (16 November 2024). "Jon Kenny A Life of Laughter and Resilience".
11. (18 April 2022). "Father Ted star explains hilarious origin of 'down with this sort of thing' quote". Extra.ie.
12. (2008). "Insatiable".
13. McGuire, Kevin. (24 July 2008). "Comedian Jon Kenny goes back to front at the Town Hall Theatre".
14. (16 July 2010). "Kenny's comedy takes more 'believable' path".
15. [http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/4936 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".
17. (4 February 2016). "Des is in tune with nature in first solo exhibition in 18 years".
18. (28 October 2022). "INTERVIEW {{!}} Jon Kenny on The Banshees of Inisherin and a long-awaited return to screen with D'Unbelievables partner Pat Shortt".
19. (9 October 2023). "Irish Film Review: The Hurler: A Campion's Tale".
20. "2001 Winners".
21. (17 January 2023). "2023 Gold Derby Film Awards nominations: 'Everything Everywhere' leads with 14".
22. Verhoeven, Beatrice. (14 December 2022). "'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Leads 2023 Critics Choice Awards Film Nominations".
23. Fitzgerald, Cormac. (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny has died, age 66".
24. Ward, Shauna Bannon. (25 March 2024). "D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny's 35-year marriage to wife Maggie, forest home and cancer journey". [[Reach plc]].
25. McCurry, Cate. (16 November 2024). "Irish president leads tributes to comedian and actor Jon Kenny".
26. Riain, Orla Ní. (17 November 2024). "'Comedic genius' Jon Kenny of D'Unbelievables dies at 66".
27. (16 November 2024). "Titan of stage and screen Jon Kenny passes away at 66".
28. Lee, Jenny. (20 June 2019). "Arts Q&A: Comedian and actor Jon Kenny on U2, Stevie Wonder and Munster rugby".
29. Ainsworth, Paul. (16 November 2024). "Tributes to comedian and D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny following death at age of 66".
30. Fitzgerald, Aine. (24 December 2011). "D'Unbelievables Jon 'doing brilliantly' after triple bypass operation".
31. Sweeney, Ken. (14 December 2011). "Comedian Kenny recovering after bypass surgery".
32. 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".
33. (16 November 2024). "Tributes pour in for Father Ted star Jon Kenny after death aged 66".
34. Mallon, Sandra. (25 March 2024). "D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny tells fans that his cancer has returned".
35. Raleigh, David. (17 November 2024). "Funeral arrangements for comedy and acting legend Jon Kenny announced".
36. (16 November 2024). "Legendary Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny has died". Live95.
37. (16 November 2024). "Legendary Limerick actor and comedian Jon Kenny passes away". Limerick Leader.
38. (16 November 2024). "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny dies, aged 66".
39. (16 November 2024). "Pat Shortt 'devastated' following death of Jon Kenny". [[RTÉ]].
40. Ryan, Órla. (19 November 2024). "Jon Kenny to be laid to rest in Limerick today".
41. Halloran, Cathy. (19 November 2024). "'Larger than life' Jon Kenny celebrated at funeral mass". RTÉ.
42. (1991-02-12). "Nighthawks Presents D'Unbelievables". [[RTÉ]].
43. (1992-11-24). "Rising Stars Of Comedy". [[RTÉ]].
44. "One Hell Of A Do".
45. (1994-07-22). "Pat Shortt And Jon Kenny". [[RTÉ]].
46. (16 November 2024). "Tributes to comedian and D'Unbelievables star Jon Kenny following death at age of 66".
47. (16 November 2024). "Tributes to Irish comedian Jon Kenny who starred in Father Ted".
48. Levy, Emanuel. (27 July 1997). "Angela Mooney Dies Again".
49. Collins, Liam. (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".
50. Radio Times, BBC Two. (18 August 2000). "The Fitz".
51. "Après Match As U2".
52. (11 August 2004). "Hanging with Hector Season 1".
53. (31 December 2023). "The Genius Of D'Unbelievables In 'Back Of The Church'".
54. (2012). "Jon Kenny".
55. "The Restaurant".
56. (21 February 2006). "The Podge and Rodge Show · S1 E6 · Jon Kenny, Frances Black".
57. (3 April 2007). "Comic Tiernan declares satirist O'Brien as father of Irish comedy".
58. (20 May 2008). "Former Miss World to grace red carpet for local movie premiere".
59. (16 November 2024). "Father Ted star Jon Kenny dies. aged 66".
60. (2012). "Na Bainisteoirí/ The Managers – Celebrity Bainisteoir".
61. (11 December 2008). "'Back to Front' fun with Jon Kenny".
62. "2011 (I) Winners".
63. (17 December 2011). "RTÉ DVD Goody Bag comp". RTÉ.
64. (2012). "Joe Dolan – Sweet Little Rock N Roller".
65. (21 May 2014). ""Mag Mell"".
66. Rushe, Rose. (31 October 2014). "New Limerick cinema – not so washed up".
67. Media, P. A.. (16 November 2024). "Irish actor and comedian Jon Kenny dies aged 66". The Guardian.
68. "Actor and comedian Jon Kenny, 'an entertainer to his core', dies aged 66". The Irish Times.
69. "The Break".
70. "Pat".
71. "2019 Waterford Film Festival Programme".
72. "Documentaries on veteran actors Niall Tóibín and Richard Harris to air over the Christmas season".
73. Columnist, Guest. (24 March 2023). "The first trailer for the upcoming Irish comedy feature film "The Hurler: A Campion's Tale" has been released.".
74. "For Your Consideration – 2024".
75. "International Online Cinema Awards (INOCA) (2023)".

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