The taoiseach has paid tribute to the Irish writer, comedian and actor Jon Kenny following his death.

He was best known for his work opposite Pat Shortt in the comedy duo D’Unbelievables.

The 66-year-old had been receiving treatment for cancer and heart failure.

The County Limerick-born star also had many screen credits to his name including Father Ted, The Van, Les Misérables (1998), Angela’s Ashes, and The Banshees of Inisherin, in which he reunited with Pat Shortt.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Simon Harris said he learnt of Jon’s death with “utmost sadness” and said he had the “ability, that very few people possess, to make his audiences crack up laughing with a glance or a single word”.

“Behind that seemingly effortless talent to joke, there was a gifted performer and an extremely deep thinker,” Harris said in a statement.

“Jon was an interesting and thoughtful person, he had some stunning dramatic performances on stage and on screen and the country is still in stitches from the magic that was D’Unbelievables.”

Kenny was also an acclaimed singer, poet, and solo stand-up performer.

In a tribute, Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin described Kenny as “one of our most iconic actors and comedians”.

“Deeply saddened at the passing of Jon Kenny,” Mr Martin said in a statement.

“Through the D’Unbelievables, and his appearances on stage & on screen, Jon made us smile. He was an entertainer to his core.”