Father Ted’s Notorious Father Jack: A Surprising Classy Gentleman

Francis Kelly, better known as Frank, had a long career on our television screens, most famously as Father Jack Hackett in the Channel 4 show Father Ted. As it turns out, the real-life man behind the character couldn’t have been more different. The sitcom aired for three seasons from 21 April 1995 until 1 May 1998 across the UK and remained a firm fan-favourite  comedy throughout the decade. His character was famed for being ‘foul-mouthed’ and illiterate, constantly swearing, shouting and drinking copious amounts of alcohol. 

Set on Craggy Island, a fictional remote location in Ireland, Father Ted followed three priests all living together in a parochial house after being exiled by the bishop for unruly behaviour. The show sees the priests take on matters of the church as they also deal with Father Ted’s scheming ways with the parish and island residents.

Kelly tragically passed away in February 2016 at the age of 77, after suffering a heart attack, but left behind a legacy very different to that of his rowdy character. In an unusual turn of events, he passed away on the same date as his fellow co-star Dermot Morgan, known for playing Father Ted, on the 18th anniversary of his death. 

While he was still alive, as a part of a 1997 interview for the Irish Times, Deirdre Falvey described him to be “further from Father Jack”. She said: “Urbane, articulate, thoughtful, fit (he swims and hikes), charming company, full of stories, and quite serious, though his conversation is punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter — he is reputably a great slagger with colleagues and is very well liked.”

At the time of his passing, one of the writers of Father Ted, Graham Linehan, paid a touching tribute in a social media post. He shared: “Just hearing from various sources that Frank Kelly has passed away. “Terribly sad news. Thanks for everything, Frank.”

Another co-star, Ardal O’Hanlon, shared his condolences at the time, referring to his colleague as a “gentleman”. He wrote: “Very sad news. We had lunch together at Christmas when he was in his usual feisty form.

“Frank was an all-round talent, an institution in Irish entertainment, a very determined professional, and he’ll be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Sharing a similar sentiment, Irish president Michael D Higgins described Kelly as “a friend”. He remembered him as a “distinguished actor who made such a wide and valued contribution both on the stage and in film.” 

He further stated: “He will forever be remembered for his roles. To his wife, Bairbre, and his family, I send deepest sympathy, for theirs is the greatest loss of such a great and loving person.”