NZ's Fred Dagg actor, John Clarke, dies

NZ 10/04/2017

Iconic Kiwi entertainer John Clarke, best known for his character Fred Dagg, has died.

The 68-year-old died on Sunday while hiking in a national park in Victoria, Australia, an ABC spokesperson confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Born in Palmerston North, he'd lived in Australia since 1979.

Fred Dagg was his breakthrough character. He made regular appearances on TV and radio through the 1970s as the singlet-wearing farmer, making a number of albums and books.

His biggest hit as Fred Dagg was probably 'We Don't Know How Lucky We Are', released in 1975. It was re-recorded in 1998, with revised lyrics.

Clarke also provided the voice for Wal Footrot in Murray Ball's 1986 feature film Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale. Ball only died a month ago.

In Australia he found fame as a political satirist, particularly his mock interviews with collaborater Bryan Dawe, which have run on ABC for more than 25 years.

He also wrote a screenplay, The Man Who Sued God, which was turned into a feature film starring Scottish comedian Billy Connolly in 2002.

ABC says Clarke died of natural causes.