Pat Shortt has paid tribute to his D’Unbelievables parter with a heartwarming social media post, following his tragic death aged 66.
The Irish comedian and actor pᴀssed away at a hospital in Galway on Friday evening following a battle with cancer, his wife Margy has said.
He had previously recovered from non-Hodgkins lymphoma in his 40s but announced in 2020 that his cancer had returned.
Jon, a Limerick native, sH๏τ to fame in the 1990s as one half of the comedy duo D’Unbelievables, playing a number of off-the-wall Irish characters alongside Pat.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, his co-star Pat quipped: ‘We are all devastated with the news of Jon Pᴀssing 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 rehersal 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.’
Pat Shortt has paid tribute to his D’Unbelievables parter with a heartwarming social media post, following his tragic death aged 66 (pictured together in 1998)
The Irish comedian and actor pᴀssed away at a hospital in Galway on Friday evening , following a battle with cancer, his wife Margy has said (Jon pictured in 2014)
The comedian also included a reel of some of the duo’s best moments from throughout the years.
Fans rushed to the comments of the touching post to share their condolences, writing: ‘Heartbreaking news, there’s not a house in rural Ireland that hadn’t the three tapes played over and over. It was great to see ye make an appearance in Achill too. God rest him.
‘Ye 2 boys made me sick from laughing throughout the 90s. Absolute legends. Certainly don’t make them like that anymore RIP Jon.’
‘’m so sorry to you and all Jons family and friends. The two of you together were my childhood and teenage years. I have never repeated anyone’s lines like I have both of yours bad laughed so much. Such a shock, an absolute legend.’
‘“Well whatever move I made” one of the famous lines in Irish comedy. So sad to hear of Jon’s pᴀssing. Thanks so much for all the laughs!’
‘D’Unbelievables captured the characters of rural Ireland. Jon was such a talented performer.’
‘Comedy genius, an irish legend, a part of everyones house growing up. Rest in peace Jon.’
Jon also made cameos in Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and recently had a role in Oscar-winning movie The Banshees of Inisherin.
He wrote: ‘Sitting in the kitchen with Margy and Caroline just having the craic in Lough Gur will never be forgotten. Thanks Jon’
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Jon, a Limerick native, sH๏τ to fame in the 1990s as one half of the comedy duo D’Unbelievables, playing a number of off-the-wall Irish characters alongside Pat.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Pat quipped: ‘We are all devastated with the news of Jon Pᴀssing and our thoughts are with Margy Aaron and Leah’
The comedian also included a reel of some of Jon’s best moments from throughout the years
Paying tribute, Jon’s heartbroken family said: ‘Jon grabbed life and shook it as hard as he could, getting every ounce of fun, madness and love from it – his wit, humour, generosity and kindness will outlast his pᴀssing.’
‘The memories and stories of those who knew him will be his legend.’
They said he suffered a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Sunday and did not regain consciousness, RTE has reported.
In March, Jon opened up about his first cancer diagnosis – which came when D’Unbelievables was at the peak of its success.
Speaking to Oliver Callan on RTE Radio One, he said: ‘It was tiring and wearing but it was fun and, well, I nearly killed myself.
‘I got cancer at the beginning of 2000 and I had no choice but to take a step back. Over the space of two years I was on different forms of treatment.’
Tributes have poured in for the legendary comedian, who had been due to perform at The Schoolyard Theatre in Charleville on Saturday.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said Jon was a ‘gifted performer and an extremely deep thinker.’
In March, Jon opened up about his first cancer diagnosis – which came when D’Unbelievables was at the peak of its success
Jon also made cameos in Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted (above) and recently had a role in Oscar-winning movie The Banshees of Inisherin
Fans rushed to the comments of the touching post to share their condolences
Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Father Ted star Jon Kenny dies aged 66 after comedian loses cancer battle 
‘Jon had the ability, that very few people possess, to make his audiences crack up laughing with a glance or a single word,’ he said.
‘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 sтιтches from the magic that was D’Unbelievables.’
‘I was in his native Limerick last night when word of his death came through and to say he is beloved, is a huge understatement.
‘I personally admired the honest and reflective way Jon spoke about illness with Oliver Callan on radio earlier this year. Like everything he did, it was very human and very real.
‘To Jon’s family, friends and huge circle of colleagues and peers, I am truly sorry for your loss.’
Deputy Irish premier Micheal Martin said: ‘Deeply saddened at the pᴀssing of Jon Kenny, one of our most iconic actors and comedians.
‘Through the D’Unbelievables, and his appearances on stage and on screen, Jon made us smile.
‘He was an entertainer to his core. Deepest sympathies to his wife Margie and family at this time.’
