Toast Vale: Rory O’Donoghue

[Grave Danger]

Vale: Rory O’Donoghue

Performer Rory O’Donoghue, best known for the iconic 70s comedy The Aunty Jack Show, has died, aged 68.

He died in hospital on December 13, daughter Jessica revealed on Facebook.

“Many of you knew Rory as an incredible musician, a great athlete and a wonderful teacher. To us he was the most amazing and precious Dad, Grandpa, partner, son, brother, uncle and friend. We are devastated and will miss him deeply.”

O’Donoghue rose to fame on ABC’s The Aunty Jack Show as Thin Arthur alongside Grahame Bond and Garry McDonald as Kid Eager, under director Maurice Murphy. Bond and O’Donoghue met at Sydney University, performing in revues after O’Donoghue played The Artful Dodger in a Sydney production of the musical Oliver!

https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/12/vale-rory-odonoghue.html

 

[benji2]

RIP Thin Arthur

On LG-K500 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

* that is sad. I was only listening to Graham Bond talk about his career 4 or 5 weeks ago and he talked a fair bit about Rory and how they started together in the revues at Sydney Uni.

Since Stevie Wright died at Christmas 2015 I have taken note of how many musicians actors, TV stars, sports stars, celebrities in general born between 1946 and 1951 have died. That hard living in the swinging 60's and 70's must have had an effect.

Vale Rory. Vale Thin Arthur.

 

[Corby_says]

RIP, legend of my youth...

 

[Garibaldi Red]

RIP, legend of my youth...

Yes. Aunty Jack was probably my first introduction to Australian comedy, I don’t recall anything before it.

RIP Rory

 

[Goady138]

Sad as.
At least he died with both of his arms intact

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Geez watching the replay of Australian Story on ABC News ch 24 at the moment and what a sad way for Rory to pass away. The last third of the show was tough to watch.

Had crippling mental health depression issues, plus psychotic thoughts that the devil was trying to stop him doing his musical work in the 1970's and 80's. He didn't reveal this fear to anyone outside the family and no one talked about it outside the family.

He overcome it by becoming a marathon runner and then a triathlete, even represented Oz in the veterans class, as well his teaching music to push the black dog and other issues into the background. But it caused the split up of his first marriage and a wedge with his kids before he was able to suppress it. Years later his new partner had no idea about his depression and delusional issues and he had an delusional incident.

When injuries meant he couldn't run anymore, he broke down and the black dog and delusions took over. He was treated at Royal North Shore Hospital, diagnosed as bi-polar depression and the consultant psychiatrist recommended Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Beyond Blue website describes it as;

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure used to treat certain psychiatric conditions. It involves passing a carefully controlled electric current through the brain, which affects the brain’s activity and aims to relieve severe depressive and psychotic symptoms.

The day before he was to start the process, he was moved from a high security/ high surveillance unit, as an emergency case needed the bed. Was moved into the general part of the hospital's mental health unit, received the treatment there, reports said he had come out of treatment ok, but that evening he hung himself.

His family were angry at the hospital. His psychiatrist admits it was a mistake to move him and was devastated by what happened. The coroner cleared the hospital of any wrong doing. Graham Bond said he had no idea how bad he was until he ended up in hospital, others outside the family including Gary McDonald - who has had his own mental health issues - didn't find out until he passed away.

The family are only now just feeling comfortable to talk about Rory's illness and passing and trying to talk about his experiences to help others and why they have done the Australian Story program. They are using the RU OK day platform to talk about Rory, help get over the shame and stigma of mental illness and there has been a reconciliation with his psychiatrist who has joined their campaign.

Watch the show at;

Keeping Up Appearances

Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.

www.abc.net.au