Tributes Pour in for South African Comedian Fernando Lamy

Loving tributes have poured in for South African comedian Fernando Lamy who passed away last night, hailing him as a legend who brought such happiness and laughter to so many for over three decades.

Fellow comedian, Joe Parker, said: “So saddened to hear of the passing of SA comedy great Fernando Lamy. Will be missed by all of us in this industry and no doubt by his many, many fans all over the world. Love and peace to his wife and family R.I.P.”

Lesley Schroeder told SAPeople: “I am sure many SA Expats that grew up in Durban will remember Fernando Lamy. He sadly passed away last night. From the groups Glam & Cheers was a big hit at Father’s Moustache in Durban back in the day.”

Lamy had joined comedy group Headline in the 1970s. They performed five nights a week at Durban’s famous pub, Father’s Moustache, for years… before he joined Glam and comedy duo Cheers (1992 to 1996).

Lamy was apparently in hospital at the time of his passing. He had been admitted with a heart issue, according to friends who visited him in hospital yesterday.

Sharon Kelly Zulch, wrote today: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of another legend. A man that dedicated his life to making people laugh. I had the privilege of working with him at Father’s Moustache which was never a dull moment. In more recent years we have shared our love of the Lord Jesus Christ, I know that Fernando Lamy is pain free without spot or blemish… My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children as they mourn the loss of their beloved. Till we meet again, in the words of the man himself, peace and laughter always xxx”

The award-winning comedian from Kloof first moved from Portugal to South Africa when he was 11. At the time he didn’t speak any English or Afrikaans… but he soon changed that, succeeding so well that he wrote the lyrics and music for Afrikaans film ‘Erf God is Sterf Goed’.

In an interview with IOL five years ago, Lamy said: “I’ve always said to people that I’m not a comedian, I am an entertainer, and I wanted to do comedy with a difference… Comedy is what I love doing most. It doesn’t matter how my days go; when I am on stage, I am in control…”