Canada lost one of its most popular comedians and political satirists.
Actor and comedian Roger Abbott, a star player with the Royal Canadian Air Farce, which originally aired on CBC, died after a 14-year battle with leukemia Saturday night.
Abbott’s fellow Air Farce actor Don Ferguson said in a statement on the show’s website that he was "heartbroken" over the death of his "beloved friend."
"Roger was the guiding light of Royal Canadian Air Farce since it began in 1973, and all of us who have had the honour of working with him and the pleasure of knowing him will dearly miss his kindness, generosity, integrity, leadership, and wonderful sense of humour," Ferguson said.
Ferguson said Abbott, 64, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia 14 years ago, but he kept his battle with the disease a secret from all but a few close friends and family until a week ago. Abbott died at Toronto General Hospital.
Born in Birkenhead, England, in 1946, Abbott moved to Montreal in 1953 with his parents and sister. He met Ferguson in high school, and in 1963 went on to study at Loyola College, now Concordia University.
A talented improvisational actor, Abbott was joined by Ferguson, Luba Goy, John Morgan, Martin Bronstein and Dave Broadfoot in 1973 to launch the Royal Canadian Air Farce on CBC Radio, where it aired until May 1997. The show debuted on CBC television as a one-hour special in 1980, and became a weekly series in 1993. The final television broadcast was a New Year’s Eve special, broadcast in 2008.
The much beloved show lampooned everybody from political leaders to pop-culture celebrities.
The actor was known for his impressions of former prime minister Jean Chrétien and CBC News anchor Peter Mansbridge among others.
"Political satire is supposed to be politically incorrect -that’s the point," Abbott is quoted as saying on the show’s website. "I think it’s a nuisance that provokes us into being more thoughtful and inventive."
In a statement on the CBC’s website on Sunday, Kirstine Stewart, executive vice-president of the network’s English services, called Abbott one of the "bestknown and loved" Canadian comedians in history.
"Roger Abbott was, quite simply, at the very heart of the CBC family," she said.
Abbott was recognized numerous times for his comedic timing and spot-on impressions, earning him 15 Actra awards, a Juno and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award. He was also honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
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