Renowned satirist John Clarke dead at 68

Date: April 10 2017

One of Australia's best-known satirists, John Clarke, has died at the age of 68.

An ABC spokesman confirmed that Clarke died on Sunday while hiking in the Grampians National Park in Victoria. He died from natural causes.

The New Zealand-born comedian and writer regularly appeared on Australian television from the late 1970s onwards.

Along with Bryan Dawe, he became a household name after writing and performing satirical interviews on Channel Nine's A Current Affair and later the ABC's 7.30 program, mocking everyone from Paul Keating to George Bush.

He wrote and starred in The Games, a mockumentary series of Australia's hosting of the Olympic Games in 2000, and also had roles in shows such as Kath and Kim and was a script editor for The Lano and Woodley Show.

He was a member of the Logies hall of fame and, last week, parodied Australia's company tax debate.

Clarke was also a prolific writer, publishing numerous books - including A Dagg at my Table, The Howard Miracle and The 7.56 Report.

He was walking along a track near Mount Abrupt about 11am on Sunday when he collapsed. He had finished shooting season two of his ABC TV show The Ex-PM on Friday, and attended the wrap party on Friday night. 

Tributes began to flow for the comedy legend on Monday morning, with comedian Wil Anderson describing him as "still the funniest satirist on TV".

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Australian TV would "never be the same".

In a statement, Clarke's family said they were grateful for the expressions of sympathy pouring in from all over the world. 

"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," the statement read. "He is forever in our hearts."

ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie praised Clarke for the way he tore down the "hypocrisy and, at times, absurdity" of Australian politics. 

"We have lost a giant presence on our screens," she said in a statement. 

"Our hearts go to John's family, his wife Helen and two daughters, Lorin and Lucia."

Former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard tweeted that Clarke's loss would be felt by the whole country.

"Shocked and saddened that John Clarke, a wise and funny man, has left us. Australia will miss him," she wrote.

New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English tweeted his sadness at Clarke's death.

"Sad to hear of the death of John Clarke, aka Fred Dagg. His humour captured the experience of life in NZ and Australia," he wrote.

Utterly gutted. John Clarke has died. One of my idols.

Vale John Clarke. Brilliantly funny man.

- @MrJohnClarke was a hero! One of the very few people whom I've ever been star-struck by: https://t.co/pwBugnUJpD

Oh no. John was the greatest. Still the funniest satirist on TV until the end that came way too soon. Shattered: https://t.co/IUTNzLJv5H

So sad to hear of the passing of the brilliant John Clarke. The sharpest, driest wit on Aussie TV. 6:56 on Thursdays will never be the same.

Devastating news - what a wonderful genius he was. Renowned satirist John Clarke dead at 68 https://t.co/Bl8pDtWSqp via @theage