If you can have one character as entertaining and memorable as Father Jack Hackett, you'd be happy. But Frank Kelly, the man behind the booze-happy, swearing machine of a priest that appeared on Father Ted had a long and successful career to boot. The actor has died at the age of 77.
The Irish thespian was born in the south County Dublin village of Blackrock December 1938, the son of cartoonist Charles E, Kelly and wife Cathleen. He studied law at University College Dublin, but found himself gravitating towards the drama society. His fascination for acting saw him decide to choose performing instead of a career as a barrister, but got his first staff job working in journalism.
His first job as a working actor was in 1969's The Italian Job, where he's uncredited, but plays a prison officer escorting Michael Caine's Charlie Croker out of his cell. He made occasional appearances on the big screen in films such s Rat, Hear My Song, War Of The Buttons, Evelyn and Waiting For Dublin, but it was on the stage, radio and TV where he truly found recognition.
Kelly worked with many of Ireland's great variety comedians and earned plenty of credits on the small screen, including shows such as Newsbeat, Hall's Pictorial Weekly (which made him a household name) and children's show Wanderly Wagon. In later years, he was seen on Emmerdale, played John Smith in Peter Morgan and Stephen Frears' The Deal and even showed up on sci-fi series Lexx.
But he'll be best known and loved for the roaring, chaotic Father Jack, who thanks to writers Arthur Matthews and Graham Lineham, spat catchphrases and insults with wild abandon, suffering for his art with itchy make-up to turn him into the grimacing priest.
Kelly had been treated for both bowel cancer and skin cancer and had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's pledging to continue work despite his health. He's survived by his wife of 51 years, Baibre, their seven children and 17 grandchildren.