RIP Jon Gadsby

The Herald reports:

Tributes are flowing for legendary New Zealand comedian and actor Jon Gadsby who has died.

The 62-year-old’s family revealed in October he was battling cancer and those closest to him were rallying around. Fans and former colleagues of Gadsby took to social media to post tributes.

Peter Rowley, who starred with Gadsby on several popular Kiwi TV productions, including McPhail and Gadsby, posted on Facebook: “RIP Jono … “Added Dave Ward: “RIP Jon Gadsby. True Kiwi entertainment came from true Kiwis teaching us that it’s okay to laugh at ourselves. Thoughts and prayers Peter Rowley, and to his family and friends. Arohanui.”

We’ve lost one of our great comics.

I grew up on McPhail and Gadsby and A Week of It. Satirical comedy was relatively new to New Zealand TV, and McPhail and Gadsby was a cultural icon of the times. It had huge viewership.