Royal Canadian Air Farce's Roger Abbott has died at the age of 64. Abbott, died Saturday night at Toronto General Hospital after a 14 year battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Don Ferguson, friend and co-star stated on the show's website, "I'm heartbroken to tell you that our beloved friend, Roger Abbott, died last night at Toronto General Hospital, 14 years after being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a progressive disease that he kept secret from all but a few close friends and family until a week ago". "Roger was the guiding light of Royal Canadian Air Farce since it began in 1973, and all of us who have had the honour of working with him and the pleasure of knowing him will dearly miss his kindness, generosity, integrity, leadership and wonderful sense of humour."
Abbott was born in Birkenhead, England and moved to Montreal in 1953. He attended Loyola High School, where he met Ferguson, and went to Loyola College (Concordia University). Abbott, Ferguson and Luba Goye were part of the original cast that began on CBC Radio in 1973.
Abbott received many awards including the Gemini Humanitarian Award, the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, 15 ACTRA awards, a JUNO and a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
"Roger Abbott was, quite simply, at the very heart of the CBC family, said Kirstine Stewart, CBC's Executive Vice President of English Services. "As one of the founders of the Royal Canadian Air Farce, first on radio and then television, he was to generations of fans, among the best-known and loved in the history of Canadian comedy. I would extend on behalf of CBC our deepest condolences to his family and friends."