The Australian entertainment industry is in mourning following the death this week of legendary Irish comedian Brian Doyle.
The famed funnyman, who once opened for US President Bill Clinton, died on Wednesday, aged 88.
Facebook page Golden Years of Australian Variety broke the news of Doyle’s passing with an expansive and heartfelt eulogy.
‘With great sadness, GYAV acknowledges the passing of legendary Irish comedian Brian Doyle, who has taken his final bow, aged 88,’ the post read.Â
‘Vale Brian; thank you. Our condolences and love to Judy. The lights are now a little dimmer. There will be many waiting at heaven’s stage door for your arrival.’
The post was met with an outpouring of condolences, with many sharing tributes and their own recollections of the late comedian.
The Australian entertainment industry is in mourning following the death this week of legendary Irish comedian Brian Doyle. The famed funnyman, who once opened for US President Bill Clinton , died on Wednesday, aged 88
‘My late father was a stand-up comic and he always said BRIAN was the comics comic,’ one person wrote.
Comedian Darren Carr was quick to thank Doyle for his guidance.
‘Truly a master of his craft and his brilliance was obvious to anyone who saw him work,’ he wrote.
‘Thanks to him for taking the time to guide a younger version of me in the comedy world. His words and thoughts were not only incredibly helpful, but meant the world to me and always will. RIP my friend.’
Another summed up the sentiment of many with: ‘He was a great comedian loved his work, I can see him leaning on his mic stand keeping everyone in stitches, RIP Brian.’
Doyle, who was born in Ireland in 1937, emigrated to Australia in 1969 with his wife Judy.
He quickly made a name for himself on the Australian comedy circuit thanks to his quick-witted style and was signed to NLT Productions, owned by Bobby Limb, Jack Tinker and Jack Neary.
He made his first television appearance in 1970 on In Melbourne Tonight and soon became a guest star on the Don Lane Show.
Facebook page Golden Years of Australian Variety broke the news of Doyle’s passing with an expansive and heartfelt eulogy. ‘With great sadness, GYAV acknowledges the passing of legendary Irish comedian Brian Doyle, who has taken his final bow, aged 88,’ the post read
The post was met with an outpouring of condolences, with many sharing tributes and their own recollections of the late comedian
Throughout his long and storied career, Doyle won the coveted Comedian of the Year MO Award six times. In 2002, Doyle was the warm-up act for for former US President Bill Clinton’s speaking tour of Australia. Doyle is pictured with wife Judy
Along with frequent appearances at the TV Week Logie Awards, Doyle made more than 500 appearances on Australian television including a stint as guest host on The Midday Show.Â
Doyle also had a recurring role on 1970s Australian soap opera The Restless Years.
Having performed at every major venue across the country, Doyle also shared stages with the likes of Bob Hope, Glen Campbell, Eartha Kitt and Neil Sedaka.
In 2002, Doyle was the warm-up act for for former US President Bill Clinton’s speaking tour of Australia.Â
Doyle revealed to Australian Senior in 2018, that he had become quite friendly with Clinton during the tour.
He said that he was ‘chuffed’ after receiving a call from his brother Brendan telling him he’d just had lunch with the former U.S president.Â
‘I was surprised to receive a call from the president, who was in Dublin, asking for my brother’s number,’ Brian said.
‘The next day my brother phoned to say President Clinton had invited him and his six-year-old granddaughter to his Dublin hotel for lunch.’
He added that it was one of Clinton’s PR team who first made contact with his brother, who quickly hung up believing it was a prank.Â
Throughout his long and storied career, Doyle won the coveted Comedian of the Year MO Award six times.
