David Kernan dies: “Carry On” star and Sondheim stalwart turns 85

Tributes have been paid to British actor David Kernan, who died aged 85 on Boxing Day.

News of his death was announced on December 30^ewhile his family posted on social media:

“It is with my deepest heart that I announce that dear David has passed away peacefully.

“In this time of great sadness, we will remember the wonderful man he was and the truly fantastic career he had on stage and screen.”

Kernan became particularly famous in Britain for his role in the comedy classic Further abroad in 1972, but he was also nominated for a Tony Award in 1977 for his role in the original Broadway cast of Side by side with Sondheim.

He became known as a respected interpreter of Sondheim’s songs and became a patron of the Stephen Sondheim Society.

The sun The newspaper quotes Mandy Dixon, the club’s former president, as saying: “David was a kind, witty man whose singing and dedication to Sondheim’s work was second to none.”

“In the many Sondheim workshops the Society organized at the Theater Museum in the late 1990s, he generously shared his expertise in performing Sondheim to young actors who are now household names.

“He also raised large sums of money for Aids charities by giving one-night musical theater reviews at a time when it was not a popular event.

“However, I think my best memory of him was him and his leather-clad companion getting increasingly drunk and merry at a Sondheim after-show party.”