Australian television and radio personality Jamie Dunn, best known as the voice and puppeteer behind the puppet Agro, has died aged 76.
Dunn rose to national prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s through Agro’s Cartoon Connection on the Seven Network. The children’s program combined cartoons with live studio segments featuring the puppet Agro alongside a rotating group of presenters.
Across a career that spanned television, radio and live entertainment, Dunn became a familiar figure in Queensland media and children’s television.
From children’s television to national recognition
Agro’s Cartoon Connection launched in 1989 and ran through the early 1990s on Seven.
The program featured cartoon programming interspersed with live studio segments hosted by presenters alongside Agro, the puppet voiced and operated by Dunn.
During the period, Agro became widely recognised among Australian television audiences.
A career in Brisbane radio
Alongside his television work, Dunn also built a long career in radio.
He was part of B105’s Morning Crew, a Brisbane breakfast program that performed strongly in the city’s ratings during the 1990s. The show blended comedy, interviews and talk segments and became a consistent presence in the local market.
Dunn’s work in radio helped establish him as a familiar voice in Brisbane broadcasting.
4BC Drive Programme host Gary Hargrave delivered a tribute to his friend while appearing on The Continuous Call Team, describing the loss as “really awful news”.
Hargrave said Dunn had died suddenly earlier that morning, explaining that Dunn had woken feeling unwell and had decided to return to bed.
“Apparently, he woke up this morning not feeling too well, said to the love of his life, Marie, I’m going to go back to bed for a little while and unfortunately passed away there.”
Reflecting on Dunn’s life and career, Hargrave said the entertainer had spent decades making audiences laugh.
“So it’s shocking. I’ve known him for a long time. This bloke was an entertainer his whole life. Passing away at just basically 76, it just seems too damn young for me, and I’m very, very sad about it.”
He described Dunn as widely liked within the industry and among audiences.
“This bloke was loved, he really was and yeah, big larrikin.”
Hargrave also reflected on Dunn’s long career in entertainment and the reaction that would follow as the news spread.
“He had a lot of fun in his life, he had a few challenges in his life but he was always entertaining throughout his life and I think a lot of people are really going to be very, very sad as the news gets out.”
Work across entertainment
Over several decades, Dunn also appeared in stage productions, live performances and other media roles.
His work across television and radio kept him connected to Australian audiences throughout his career.
Dunn is survived by his wife, Maree, and family.