Graham Kennedy

Graham Cyril Kennedy (15 February 1934-25 May 2005) was an Australian radio, television and film performer. Known in his heyday in the 1960s as "The King," he was the greatest star of the first 20 years of Australian television. He later rejected fame and publicity and spent his remaining years in seclusion.

Later life

In 1991 Kennedy retired, moving to a rural property at Canyonleigh, near Bowral in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, near to his friends Tony Sattler and Noeline Brown, where he kept Clydesdale horses and a golden retriever named Henry.

Related Topics:
Canyonleigh - Bowral - New South Wales - Tony Sattler - Noeline Brown - Clydesdale

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He never married, despite his hoax engagement to singer Lana Cantrell, now a New York lawyer. In the 1960's Bob Dyer described him as "probably the loneliest young man in Australia."

Related Topics:
Lana Cantrell - Bob Dyer

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Kennedy's health declined during the 1990s. A diabetic, and a heavy smoker and drinker, in 2001 Kennedy fell down stairs at his home, and suffered a broken leg and skull. Initial reports suggested that he suffered brain damage, but that appears not to have been the case. He sold his property and moved into a townhouse and later a nursing home. His old friend and former colleague Bert Newton visited him shortly after the accident, and friends Tony and Noelene Sattler rallied to his aid.

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Despite a career of high earnings, he was said to have never become rich from his success, and it was stated in the press that his financial situation was, while not disastrous, insufficient to fund his care. Having made millions for the Packer family interests, he believed that "the Packers will always look after me". His confidence was misplaced, and despite a direct appeal by the Sattlers to Nine's current owner Kerry Packer, to assist financially with Kennedy's care, Packer (who is a billionaire) declined to contribute. Soon after this, according to Graeme Blundell, the sum of $150,000 was placed into Kennedy's bank account anonymously. It is believed to have come from former Nine executive Sam Chisholm, who rose from early beginnings promoting floor wax products on In Melbourne Tonight to become Channel Nine's network chief. When Kennedy died, however, his will left most of his money (millions of dollars) to the Sydney City Mission.

Related Topics:
Packer - Kerry Packer - Sam Chisholm

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Kennedy's colleague on Coast to Coast, John Mangos, was reported in 2001 as having said:

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:"I can say to his beloved fans that they won't see Graham again. He won't appear publicly again; he is in his twilight. He has made a personal decision to disappear quietly into the sunset."

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On 2 February 2004, The Daily Telegraph said:

Related Topics:
2 February - 2004 - The Daily Telegraph

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:"The king of Australian TV Graham Kennedy will celebrate his 70th birthday next weekend with a few close friends. The low-key affair is expected to be at the Kenilworth Nursing Home at Bowral where Kennedy has lived since taking a nasty tumble a few years ago. Physically he's not in terrific shape. He can't walk any more and gets around in a wheelchair as a result of the diabetes and the years of heavy smoking."

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Actor Graeme Blundell, who worked with Kennedy on the movies The Odd Angry Shot and Don's Party published a biography of Kennedy, King: The Life and Comedy of Graham Kennedy (McMillan, 2003). Although unauthorised, it was reported that Kennedy gave Blundell, via his agent, "best wishes for the book".

Related Topics:
Graeme Blundell - Biography

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At 4:30am on 25 May 2005 Kennedy died at the Kenilworth Nursing Home, Bowral, from complications from pneumonia http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200505/s1376256.htm. After his death the radio broadcaster Derryn Hinch alleged that Kennedy had died of AIDS. Kennedy's biographer Graeme Blundell then published Kennedy's medical records, including a recent negative HIV test, to disprove this allegation.

Related Topics:
25 May - 2005 - Pneumonia - Derryn Hinch - AIDS - HIV

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Although Kennedy himself never stated it explicitly, it was tacitly accepted that he was homosexual. This was made fun of, in a friendly way, at his funeral.

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Four of Graham Kennedy's television shows were named in the Top 50 Australian TV Shows of All Time, as decided by ratings data and the opinions of one hundred television industry professionals, announced on Australia's Nine Network on 25 September 2005. Kennedy's "In Melbourne Tonight" topped the poll. "Power without Glory" was #15. "Blankety Blanks" was #20. "Coast to Coast" was ranked #42.

Related Topics:
Nine Network - 25 September - 2005

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