16 MAY 2017
We pay tribute to a Kiwi
comedy icon, see how the
reign of glamour continues
in Monaco and take a peek
at the return of a favourite
British nanny.In the
news
Farewell Fred
New Zealand lost one of its comedy heroes
with the death of John Clarke on April 9.
Hailed as the father of modern Kiwi
comedy, John was best known for creating
the laconic farmer Fred Dagg, but also
enjoyed success as an actor, author and
screenwriter throughout his long career in
New Zealand as well as Australia.
He filmed an episode for the Australian
TV seriesThe Ex-PM– which he had
regularly appeared in since 2015 – just a
few days before his death, aged 68, while
out hiking with family and friends in the
Grampians National Park in Victoria.
“John died doing one of the things he
loved the [most], taking photos of birds
in beautiful bushland with his wife and
friends,” said a family spokesperson. “He is
forever in our hearts.”
Comedians and actors on both sides of the
Tasman have paid tribute to the man who
taught us how to laugh at ourselves.
John got his first big break with a part in a
Barry Humphries film in London in the early
1970s, and returning to New Zealand a year
later created his iconic Fred Dagg character.
He later moved to Australia, where he set
up a production company in partnership
with his dear friend, Kiwi actor Sam Neill. He
has worked regularly in film and TV shows,
includingThe Games, a series satirising the
preparations for the 2000 Sydney Olympics,
which he co-wrote and starred in.
But Fred Dagg remains his most beloved
character–agifttoKiwi comedy and his
many, many fans.FROM TOP: John
Clarke was a talented
writer, actor and
comedian.“
Fred Dagg
remains his
most beloved
character.
”