Tribute: Ewen Gilmour
03 Oct 2014
Tributes have been flowing for New Zealand comedy legend Ewen Gilmour, who has passed away.
Written by
The Big Idea Editor
Tributes have been flowing for New Zealand comedy legend Ewen ‘The Westie’ Gilmour, who passed away overnight, at the age of 51.
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His family said in a statement that "Ewen was a much loved and cherished member of our family, he was a larger than life character and by his very nature was kind, generous and always giving of his time to those who asked for his help.
In addition to his comedy, he involved himself in a wide spectrum of events and activities, ranging from charitable initiatives through to involvement in local politics.
He brought smiles and laughter wherever he went and to everyone he met, and as his family we will remember those happy memories forever.
He was at such a great stage in his life – he had so much to live for and everything was going so well for him.
The one comforting thought is that he is now at rest with his beloved late wife, Cathy.”
Since hitting the comedy circuit in 1995, Ewen became one of New Zealand’s most recognisable and respected stand-up comedians on television and the live comedy scene, nationally and internationally.
Ewen was an inaugural Billy T Award Winner in 1997, and he recently received the inaugural “Decade Achievement Award” at the 2010 NZ Comedy Guild Awards.
He also appeared on TV’s “Dancing With the Stars”, “Celebrity Treasure Island” and “Intrepid Journeys Peru.” And was a past star of Pulp Comedy and had his own show Road Madness on TV3. Ewen was a regular at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival every televised “Comedy Gala”, in numerous TV3 “AotearoHA” series, and appeared as a panelist on TV3’s “7 Days”, and in 2010 TV2’s “Comedy Christmas Cracker – The Work Do”.
Ewen has appeared in every live venue in New Zealand and has performed all over the world including Montreal, Ireland, Paris, Australia and Brussels. Ewen was twice invited to entertain the NZ troops in East Timor.
As Ambassador for Variety, the Children’s Charity and a past councillor and cultural ambassador for Waitakere City, his work for charity and the community was highly regarded.
Mediaworks released a tribute saying he was a much-loved and respected and had given generously of his immense talent over the years.
Ewen had been filming in its Auckland studios last night for a comedy special, which has no on-air date at this time.
John McDonald, head of local production at MediaWorks TV, who had worked with Ewen many times over the years, paid tribute.
“Gilmour was mischievous, intelligent and warm-hearted. He set the standard for many of our young comedians to aspire to, with a knack for telling a wonderful, crazy, circular story that had fantastic gags all the way round. He’ll be hugely missed.”
Our thoughts and best wishes are with Ewen’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
Sources: Elephant Publicity, Creeping Charlie, Mediaworks