Beloved Kiwi actor and comedian Dai Henwood dies aged 48 after six-year cancer battle
Beloved New Zealand actor and comedian Dai Henwood has died aged 48.
The veteran performer passed away on Tuesday morning in an Auckland hospital surrounded by his family, following a six-year battle with bowel cancer.
His death was confirmed in a statement from his management: ‘Dai truly brought people together.
‘Dai’s contributions to comedy, various charities, and the general positive vibes of Aotearoa will leave an indelible mark. He made so many people proud. Nothing made Dai happier than making people laugh, and he shared that gift his whole life.
‘He will be dearly missed by his whānau, his friends, and those who saw him entertain a nation. We were lucky to have him in our lives. We will hold his memory dearly in our hearts.’
Dai was the son of the legendary late NZ actor Ray Henwood, who appeared in a host of popular movies and TV shows, including the NZ-filmed productions Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules and Heavenly Creatures.
Beloved New Zealand actor and comedian Dai Henwood has died aged 48. The veteran performer passed away on Tuesday morning in an Auckland hospital surrounded by his family, following a six-year battle with bowel cancer
He followed in his father’s footsteps and appeared in a host of popular shows, including Xena, Power Rangers Beast Morphers and Derby Dogs.
In 2020, Dai was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer and underwent chemotherapy and surgery to fight it, keeping his battle secret until 2023.
Earlier this year, he revealed he was still fighting hard after undergoing his 51st round of chemotherapy.
The beloved performer was also a stand-up comedian and a popular face on prime time television, appearing on the NZ version of popular shows such as Family Feud, Dancing With The Stars, The Project and Lego Masters.
Many of his Australian and NZ celebrity friends took to social media to pay tribute to Dai.
‘I’m completely saddened to hear the news that our comedy family across the ditch lost a true foundation stone today with the passing of Dai. Only 48 but his was a life so incredibly well lived,’ Rove McManus wrote, sharing a photo of them together.
‘Dai was one of the good ones. He will be sorely missed by all of us who had the privilege of performing with him or just getting to hang out and be in his wickedly cheeky presence.
‘My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. Thank you for sharing him with us.’
Dai was the son of the legendary late New Zealand actor Ray Henwood, and he appeared in many popular shows, including the NZ versions of Dancing With The Stars and Lego Masters
Many of Dai’s celebrity friends were quick to pay tribute to him, including Rove McManus
‘I’m heartbroken to learn that Aotearoa has lost Dai today. The beloved comedian and TV host passed away at Auckland Hospital with his family by his side. I was lucky to work with Dai for the past 20 years,’ added NZ newsreader Samantha Hayes.
‘To be in Dai’s orbit was one of life’s greatest gifts. Anyone who crossed paths with him knows how rarely you meet someone like him,’ Dancing With The Stars NZ host Sharyn Casey chipped in.
Dai is survived by his wife Joanna and their two children.
