Satirist John Clarke aka Fred Dagg (68)

New Zealand born “celebrated satirist and comedian John Clarke has died suddenly, aged 68,” reports ABC News.

Clarke, who made “his name as a comedian and political satirist in Australia after arriving in the 1970s”, appeared on Australian television conducting mock interviews and skewering politicians with his comedy partner, Bryan Dawe for 27 years.

He “became known for his comedy character Fred Dagg on stage and screen in the late ’70s. Clad in gumboots and a black singlet, Dagg was played with such conviction that to many New Zealanders, he was a real person,” reports the NZ Herald.

“Clarke was a man of diverse talents — a comedian, actor and writer of television, film and stage musicals,” according to ABC News.

“He co-wrote the multi-award winning mockumentary The Games, about the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, which aired in 1999 and 2000,” as well as “stage musicals The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom.” “His books included A Dagg at My Table, The Howard Miracle and The 7.56 Report.”

“Tributes began to flow for the comedy legend on Monday morning, with comedian Wil Anderson describing him as ‘still the funniest satirist on TV’”, as reported in The Sydney Morning Herald.

“RIP John Clarke. Hugely influential to me and my mates, he was one of the fathers of NZ’s style of comedy. We all copied him at some point,” tweeted New Zealand comedian Taika Waititi.

Article Source: ABC News, April 10, 2017

Image Source: Twitter – Anthony Ackroyd