About Jon

Limerick man Jon Kenny is one half of the famous Irish comic duo D'Unbelievables with Pat Shortt. They were hugely successful together, touring extensively nationally and internationally, until 2000, when Jon was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. He made a successful recovery and is now busy doing numerous gigs all over Ireland. 2006 was especially busy and varied for Jon. It included doing Dylan Thomas' 'Under Milk Wood' with Island Theatre Company, for which he was nominated for the prestigious Irish Times, Best Actor Award. Following on from this he combined performing with Sharon Shannon and her Big Band and touring his own show. He finished off the year with Red Kettle Theatre Company performing in 'The Salvage Shop' to packed audiences. This year he is back with his hilarious critique of contemporary Ireland in this brand new show. This show contains adult content and strong language.
Jon is from Hospital, Co. Limerick and has appeared with Island as 'Joe' in John B. Keane's "The Year of the Hiker". Jon's career in entertainment started at the age of sixteen as lead singer in the glam rock band called Gimic, who toured extensively in Ireland and the UK, and were also one of the first bands to tour Eastern Europe.

Leaving the band in his early twenties, Jon joined Theatre Omnibus, a dance and classical mime company that had been established in Ireland by John and Jean Regan. They toured throughout, Ireland, England and America, one of the highlights being their critically acclaimed performances at the prestigious Lincoln Arts Centre in New York.

In the mid eighties Jon left Theatre Omnibus to embark on a solo career where his madcap blend of music, comedy and theatrics began to emerge and he was soon seen on the "Davis at Large Show" where he wrote and performed his own comedy sketches.

In the late eighties Jon formed the Southern Comedy Theatre Company with Pat Shortt and proceeded to write and perform shows such as; "The Cattle Dealer's Lament"; "Mad Jax Show"; "It's My Shout"; "One Hell of a Do"; "I Doubt It, Says Pauline"; and "Dat's Life". In the early nineties as well as working with Island, Jon also worked with the Actors Company, Dublin and Druid in Dublin.

Battling with Cancer
Jon is currently in remission. He was diagnosed over five years ago with cancer of the lymph glands which spread to his chest and neck. Jon spent two years in treatment and is doing just dandy now!

Film & Television Work
Jon's film work includes the part of 'Chaplin' in "Angela Mooney Dies Again", Gerry McCarthy in "The Van", 'Tinadea' in "Les Miserables", 'Jim' in "Song for Europe" and a cameo role in "Angela's Ashes".

"Father Ted", "Gortmaclune" and various other personal appearances all appear on Jon's television resume. Recently John has toured Ireland with his own show, "I'm Not Says I, I'm Fine".