We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Profile image for John Clarke

John Clarke

Comedian, Writer, Actor

John Clarke’s brand of droll defined the high water mark of Kiwi and Australian comedy for more than 30 years. Spawned in the early 1970s, his gumboot-clad philosopher Fred Dagg marked a key moment in the development of a distinctly New Zealand style of humour. Dagg's reign as a Kiwi comedy star spanned just four years, before Clarke began anew in Australia. He passed away on 9 April 2017, at age 68.

I like that show of yours. And I’ll tell you what it’s like: your show is a secret between the people who are making it and the people who are watching it. One of John Clarke's favourite quotes, as told to him by a fan of Clarke's TV series The Games, quoted in The Age, 19 June 2004

Thumbnail image for John Clarke: A bit of a Dagg...
Interview

John Clarke: A bit of a Dagg...

Interview, 2011

Thumbnail image for John Clarke - Funny As compilation

John Clarke - Funny As compilation

2021, Subject, As: Fred Dagg - Web

Thumbnail image for Vox Pops - watching John Clarke

Vox Pops - watching John Clarke

2021, Subject - Web

Thumbnail image for Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy

Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy

2019, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy (series promo)

Funny As: The Story of New Zealand Comedy (series promo)

2019, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for In Memoriam 2017

In Memoriam 2017

2017, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for John Clarke interviewed by Ian Fraser (NZFGC Conference)

John Clarke interviewed by Ian Fraser (NZFGC Conference)

2012, Subject - Web

Thumbnail image for Radiradirah

Radiradirah

2010, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 3 - Let Us Entertain You

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 3 - Let Us Entertain You

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 6 - A Sense of Identity

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 6 - A Sense of Identity

2010, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Radiradirah - First Episode

Radiradirah - First Episode

2010, Special Guest Star - Television

Thumbnail image for bro'Town - A Vegetarian at My Table

bro'Town - A Vegetarian at My Table

2009, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for The Topp Twins - Untouchable Girls

The Topp Twins - Untouchable Girls

2009, Subject - Film

Thumbnail image for One News - John Clarke at the Logie Awards

One News - John Clarke at the Logie Awards

2008, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Sunday - John Clarke

Sunday - John Clarke

2008, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for John Clarke - Honorary Doctorate of Literature Speech

John Clarke - Honorary Doctorate of Literature Speech

2007, Subject - Film

Thumbnail image for The Underwatermelon Man and Other Unreasonable Rhymes

The Underwatermelon Man and Other Unreasonable Rhymes

2006, Performer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Arts All Blacks announcement by John Clarke

Arts All Blacks announcement by John Clarke

2006, As: All Black Selector, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for bro'Town - I Still Call Australia Home...Oh

bro'Town - I Still Call Australia Home...Oh

2006, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for The Dagg Sea Scrolls

The Dagg Sea Scrolls

2006, Subject, Producer, As: Fred Dagg, various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for The Underwatermelon Man - The Hide and Seeky Bird

The Underwatermelon Man - The Hide and Seeky Bird

2006, Narrator - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Who Laughs Last?

Who Laughs Last?

2006, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for SportsCafe - Grand Final

SportsCafe - Grand Final

2005, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for bro'Town

bro'Town

2004 - 2009, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for Face to Face with Kim Hill - John Clarke

Face to Face with Kim Hill - John Clarke

2004, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Blerta Revisited

Blerta Revisited

2001, As: Various roles, Writer, As: Fred Dagg, Original Director - Film

Thumbnail image for We Don't Know How Lucky We Are

We Don't Know How Lucky We Are

1998, Subject - Music video

Thumbnail image for Kiwiana

Kiwiana

1996, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Beyond a Joke!

Beyond a Joke!

1995, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Fraser - John Clarke interview

Fraser - John Clarke interview

1994, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Holmes - John Clarke

Holmes - John Clarke

1991 - 1993, Subject, As: Bob Hawke & Paul Keating - Television

Thumbnail image for The Grass is Greener - John Clarke

The Grass is Greener - John Clarke

1991, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for The Grass is Greener - Sam Neill

The Grass is Greener - Sam Neill

1991, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

Magic Kiwis - Lynn & Fred

1990, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Eyewitness News - John Clarke interview

Eyewitness News - John Clarke interview

1989, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Magic Kiwis

Magic Kiwis

1989 - 1991, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Never Say Die

Never Say Die

1988, As: Car salesman - Film

Thumbnail image for The Making of Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

The Making of Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

1986, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tale

1986, As: Wal - Film

Thumbnail image for Then Again - John Clarke interview

Then Again - John Clarke interview

1986, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Eyewitness - Dr Fred Dagg on Australian Politics

Eyewitness - Dr Fred Dagg on Australian Politics

1980, Subject - Television

Thumbnail image for Telethon - Fred Dagg

Telethon - Fred Dagg

1978, Subject, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for A Bit of a Dagg (Fred Dagg Live)

A Bit of a Dagg (Fred Dagg Live)

1977, Writer, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for Dagg Day Afternoon

Dagg Day Afternoon

1977, Co-Director, Writer, Music, As: Fred Dagg - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Wild Man

Wild Man

1977, As: Doctor Daggenheimer - Film

Thumbnail image for Grunt Machine - Andy Anderson spoof interview with John Clarke

Grunt Machine - Andy Anderson spoof interview with John Clarke

1975, As: Hiram W Violent - Television

Thumbnail image for Buck House - Series Two, Episode One

Buck House - Series Two, Episode One

1975, As: Ken, Additional Writing - Television

Thumbnail image for Fred Dagg at the Opening of Avalon TV Centre

Fred Dagg at the Opening of Avalon TV Centre

1975, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for Fred Dagg Skits

Fred Dagg Skits

1975 - 1976, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for The Wonderful World of...

The Wonderful World of...

1975, Writer, As: Fred Dagg, David Sorenson, Dennis Racket, little boy & mother, various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for Tonight at Nine

Tonight at Nine

1975 - 1976, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for Tonight at Nine - Fred Dagg Skits

Tonight at Nine - Fred Dagg Skits

1975 - 1976, Writer, As: Fred Dagg, All Black, Priest - Television

Thumbnail image for Buck House

Buck House

1975, As: Ken - Television

Thumbnail image for Percy the Policeman - Full Series

Percy the Policeman - Full Series

1974, As: Mr Grump (episode two) - Television

Thumbnail image for Country Calendar - Fred Dagg

Country Calendar - Fred Dagg

1974, As: Fred Dagg , Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Nationwide

Nationwide

1974 - 1975, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for Nationwide Skits - Fred Dagg and Company

Nationwide Skits - Fred Dagg and Company

1974, Writer, As: Fred Dagg, David Frost, Public Servants - Television

Thumbnail image for Gallery - Fred Dagg and company

Gallery - Fred Dagg and company

1973, As: Fred Dagg - Television

Thumbnail image for Gallery

Gallery

1973, As: Fred Dagg - Television