Actor Frank Kelly, best known from Father Ted, was pronounced dead at 77.
Kelly was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease last year and survived bowel cancer in 2011, according to The Guardian. He also underwent skin cancer in 2014.
The Irish actor has had a long history of acting on TV and on stage. Before his acting career started, he was a subeditor for Irish newspapers. His big break came when he obtained his role as a man escorting Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) out of a prison in the 1969 film, The Italian Job. He continued acting in films until 2014, his last major role in Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie, according to the Independent UK.
Kelly had ongoing roles in Irish TV dramas Glenroe (1999-2001) and Emmerdale in 2010. However, his comic role came playing a swearing alcoholic priest named Father Jack in Father Ted. The priest's vocabulary was limited, mainly saying “Drink! Feck! Arse!” However, Kelly's role as the priest became his most beloved role.
Even with his struggles with Parkinson’s disease, it didn't stop Kelly from acting, “I’ve been working as an actor for over 50 years and a shaky hand won’t stop me. I remain open to offers for work on stage and screen. I’m quite available and my mobile is always on,” he said last year.
"I’m not going to let Parkinson’s beat me. I’m just not that kind of person.”
Kelly had a wife of 51 years, Bairbre, seven children and 17 grandchildren.
Son of Dermot Morgan, Kelly's costar on Father Ted, noted he died on the anniversary of his dad's death, which was on Feb. 28, 1998.
Friends, family and colleagues paid tribute over Twitter, including writer of Father Ted, Graham Linehan.
"Feck" showing up in most tributes: