The comedy communities on both sides of the Tasman are reeling after the sudden passing of much-loved performer Cal Wilson on Wednesday.

The news of the 53-year-old's passing after a short illness, surrounded by family and friends at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney has broken hearts of friends, peers and fans alike.

The Christchurch-born comedian, writer and performer was the inaugural winner of the Billy T. James award (along with the late Ewen Gilmour) in 1997, carving her name in Aotearoa before shifting to Australia in 2003 and embarking on a successful career in both stand-up and TV.

In a tribute from New Zealand International Comedy Festival on Facebook, Wilson was praised as "a fearless pioneer of comedy" who was "a much-adored member of our comedy community."

The post details "Cal co-founded the Christchurch-based Court Jesters improv group in 1990; with them, she won a World Theatresports title in 1994. Still going to this day, the group and its Scared Scriptless nights have been a formative part of and inspiration for many comedians’ careers since. “It trained me. It trained me how to be funny and how to read an audience and it made me really fearless,” Cal said of her Ōtautahi improv days in an interview for the landmark Funny As series (See Cal's full interview here). “I still look back on it as being such a fantastic time. We were so lucky. Like, we didn't realise how lucky we were.”

"Cal came of comedy age at a time when women were few on New Zealand’s stand-up scene, which itself was in its infancy. A feminist on and off stage, she forged bonds with and pioneered pathways for other funny women, and inspired many more here and across the Tasman to take the mic.

"Cal was one of a kind. She fully inhabited her unique style and unforgettable voice and never stopped finding ways to bring joy. 

"The outpouring of love and loss for Cal is a tribute to her natural, free-flowing generosity and open heart. She mentored so many people throughout her life—not all of whom saw themselves as comedians, but Cal knew they would fit alongside her on stage.

"Cal was one in five million. Our hearts are with her husband Chris and their son, her wider comedy whānau, and the many friends she made all across the world."

NZ comedians react

They are sentiments shared across Aotearoa's comedy scene, with memories and tributes on social media. 

One of those Wilson mentored was Flight of the Concords star Jemaine Clement. He posted "I'm heartbroken to hear about the loss of Cal Wilson. We worked together on my first job as a tv writer. She was as energetic and sweet as she seemed on TV, always taking time to compliment other writers and give advice to new ones (like me)."

Another FotC alumni Actor and comedian Rhys Darby was left in shock. “Unbelievable. She was beautiful in every way. an amazing talent, such a quick brain and so much style and taste. This hurts hard. Sending big love to Chris, Digby and family.”

Guy Williams underlined her impact as "An iconic kiwi comedian who followed in John Clarke's footsteps to make it big over in (Australia)."

Another to have followed those footsteps recently, Melanie Bracewell added "It’s tough to find words in times like this. But Cal Wilson was one of the first kiwi women I saw on TV regularly being funny. I thought 'I so wish I could be her friend.' I feel lucky that I got to know her. Funny, supportive, kind, a lasting legacy."

Urzila Carlson, another to follow in those footsteps recently, commented  "My heart is broken for her family and for everyone that has ever met her because she was amazing. Today is a terrible day."

Wilson was an inspiration to many, including fellow Christchurch firebrand Penny Ashton. "As an improviser from Chch born in the early 70’s, a comedy club manager in 99, a female comic starting in the early 00’s and as a fan of colour and making people laugh, this one has knocked me around quite badly. So much love to everyone else feeling this Cal Wilson-shaped hole. It will never be filled in. I can’t begin to imagine. She’s been in my life since 1990 when I watched her at The Court in Scared Scriptless that I loved, and she just did so bloody well."

Raybon Kan shared his relationship with Wilson. "Absolutely shocked. A fabulous generous soul. Cal made it her business to delight those around her. Far too soon. Devastated. 

"Once, when I told Cal Wilson I liked a yellow denim jacket of hers, she gave it to me. We had an in-joke she only did for me -- (the wrongness was off the chart) -- and she did it every time we met, and never let up til I was in tears and couldn't breathe."

Australian reaction

Wilson's shift to Melbourne in 2003 to appear in TV sketch comedy series Skithouse saw her quickly became a mainstay of the Australian comedy circuit.

Wilson has previously explained how she stayed true to herself rather than assimilating across the ditch. “Going to Australia, I couldn’t pretend to be Australian, because I was a Kiwi. I’m a New Zealander. I don’t know enough about Australian life to fake it. I think the advantage for me, being an outsider: you get to look at things a different way. You can reflect them back to people in a way that they’ve not thought about before, because they’re just used to it. That, I think, is an advantage. Also, I just couldn’t be anyone else other than me.” 

And it worked a treat.

As well as a host of high-profile TV gigs, Wilson’s stand-up-career in Australia included 14 appearances at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival - winning best newcomer in 2001 and making her last appearance earlier this year. 

Melbourne Festival Director told ArtsHub "We are all so deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our dear friend Cal Wilson. Cal has always been a beacon of joy and smiles in and around the Festival – a dedicated Board member, fearless, funny and a loved and loving advocate for her creative world. We will miss her greatly."

Paul Horan, co-founder of the New Zealand Comedy Festival and now an Australia-based producer and media professional, told ArtsHub "A key thing about Cal was that she had many tribes. The Australian world knows her as a stand-up and as someone on TV, but she started in improv. She founded the Court Jesters in Christchurch and they won the world championships in ’94: unheard of for improv people in this part of the world.

"There is also her recent involvement in [storytelling community] The Moth. She knew that there were different ways to be funny and wanted different types of people to get on stage. Although she loved stand-up and was amazing at it, she saw its limitations. 

"She was always a great mentor to young women in particular and was a true believer in shaping the comedy industry with quiet, considered steps. I have known her for 30 years and although we were never close, I am going to miss her terribly."

Aussie comedy doyen Janet McLeod agreed "You will hear the word 'loved”'repeated again and again – there was nobody in the comedy industry as loved as Cal. She shone so brightly with warmth, joy and abundant kindness. [With her death] it feels like all the colour has drained from the world.

"Cal was a champion of the comedy scene. Utterly fearless and so funny. We are all utterly heartbroken."

Her status reached that of creative muse - a painting of her wearing one of the headdresses she built a cult status with over lockdown featured in the 2023 Archibald Prize, taking out the Packing Room Prize.

Wilson stated in her Funny As interview “I think the thing is that as a comedian, you can only be how you are. You can’t be funnier than you are, and you can’t be someone that you’re not, because the audience knows if you’re not being authentic.”

And they've never come more authentic than Cal Wilson.