Celebrated New Zealand–Australian satirist John Clark has died at age 68, the ABC has confirmed.
The New Zealand born political satirist died from natural causes while hiking in the Grampians National Park in Victoria, according to an ABC spokesman.
One half of 'Clarke and Dawe' with Bryan Dawe, Clarke was known for his dry sardonic wit and parodies of political doublespeak.
The pair recently satirised Australia's energy debate with an interview with energy consultant "Wal Socket" and have conducted mock interviews satirising politicians including John Howard, Paul Keating and George Bush.
Australian politicians, comedians, and media figures have expressed their shock and sadness over the news - with several sharing their favourite sketches on social media.
Supplied undated image obtained Monday, April 10, 2017 of New Zealand-born comedian and satirist John Clarke. Source: ABC Australia
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pointed out that he himself had been the butt of Clarke's cutting satire on occasions.
"His laconic wit was rarely wide of the mark. I should know. With lethal accuracy he made politicians and prime ministers his prey," he wrote on Facebook.
"With Bryan Dawe, his weekly takedown of the absurdity of political life became required viewing. In this guise, his strength was the underperformance - that canny knack of saying just enough to hit the target, and no more."
Labor leader Bill Shorten, former prime ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, and New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English all tweeted their sadness at Clarke's passing.
Clarke was praised by the ABC who said in a statement that he and Dawe offered insightful and cutting satirical commentary on issues of national importance for three decades.
"Australian audiences have relied on John Clarke for always getting to the heart of how many Australians felt about the politics of the day, and tearing down the hypocrisy and at times absurdity of elements of our national debate," ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie said.
"We have lost a giant presence on our screens. Our hearts go to John's family, his wife Helen and two daughters, Lorin and Lucia."
Clarke also leaves grandchildren Claudia and Charles and son-in-law Stewart Thorn.
"John died doing one of the things he loved the most in the world, taking photos of birds in beautiful bushland with his wife and friends. He is forever in our hearts," a statement from his family said.
Clarke's family have asked that their privacy be respected.
"We are aware of what he has meant to so many for so many years, throughout the world but especially in Australia and New Zealand. We are very grateful for all expressions of sympathy and love which John would have greatly appreciated," they said.
Clarke moved to Australia in 1977 and became famous for portraying New Zealand farmer called Fred Dagg on stage, film and television.
He also created the acclaimed Olympic Games mockumentary The Games about the Sydney 2000 Olympics organising committee, co-wrote the drama mini-series ANZACs and voiced the character of Wal Footrot in animated film, Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale.
He was nominated for an Australian Film Institute award for co-writing film Lonely Hearts and in 2008 was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame.
Clarke collaborated with some of the country's leading performers, including Geoffrey Rush, Shaun Micallef, Andrew Denton, Sam Neill and Gina Riley.
Sketch: Energy market explained
Clarke and Dawe: the energy market explained. Vale, John Clarke. https://t.co/eDb7Y6PKXX pic.twitter.com/y81d2cmiNe — Ketan Joshi (@KetanJ0) April 10, 2017
