Joining James in the first series were regulars Doug Aston and Laurie Dee. By AHNZ. I guess I shouldn't be saying that, but it is. Topics include the unwitting role his teachers played in his mimicry, his brief career in commercial art, touring with the Maori Volcanics and whether his characters unfairly stereotype Mori. Wiki User. Born William James Taitoko in 1948 in Waikato, New Zealand, he was of Maori heritage. James Billy. And we discovered all kinds of people who had worked with him, or gone to school with him, who all talked with such great affection.". Billy T James, (1948-1991), born William James Taitoko, was by general consensus the greatest entertainer New Zealand ever produced. And most of all, fun! New Zealand International Comedy Festival, "Finalists for the 2017 Billy T Award have been announced", "Congratulations to the 2018 Billy T Award nominees", "And the winners are Billy T and FRED winners announced | Scoop News", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Billy_T_Award&oldid=1084784786, Mrs Peacock (Jarrod Baker and Dave Smith). [21] Directed by Ian Mune, it proved popular with both theatre-goers and reviewers,[22][23][24] becoming the week's top box office performer on the week of release with $263,000 in sales. Mr Campbell was sacked from the national health authority by Health Minister Ayesha Verrall for a LinkedIn post which described National's replacement plan for three waters as "thin disguise for the dog whistle on co-governance". We encourage everyone to learn the stories behind their Pepeha and share them with . This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 03:38. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. William James Te Wehi Taitoko [1] MBE (17 January 1948 - 7 August 1991) better known by his stage name Billy T. James, was a New Zealand entertainer, comedian, musician and actor. A fabulous activity at the start of the year when you are looking at 'working together'. The winner receives the yellow towel in tribute to the towel worn by James in some of his most famous sketches. Brother of Thomas George Smith; Private and Private. Husband of Private Ki te rapu krero an pnuitia te kaupapahere tmataiti. Let east be the +x direction. Editor: Tim Woodhouse Within the tributes and memories, the films researchers uncovered a man who had more of a connection to James than almost anyone else - the blood brother he didn't know existed until a chance encounter in a South Island nightclub. Vic Richards, Eddie Hemara, Mary Nathan also reflect on their times with Billy. 007:45 Ngaire Anderson and Noho Taitoko (Billys sister and cousin) return to the family home with Cherie to reminisce about the days growing up there as children. Director: Alan DArcy Erson Deteriorating health, transplant and death, Legacy, recent biographies and documentaries, Marae report on the 20th anniversary of his death, Last edited on 13 February 2023, at 03:38, Member of the Order of the British Empire, List of New Zealand television personalities, "Billy T James' Death Left Huge Gap In NZ Culture", "BILLY T'S HANGI TAKEAWAYS LIMITED AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND", "Variety Artists Club of NZ Benny Award Information and Recipients", "Businessman saw the rise and fall of 'Lands for bags', "Remembering Billy T James: Our top five favourite moments", "New Platinum Fund TV projects announced", "Two looks at life of our favourite comic Billy T", "Billy T. drama "a web of lies" NZ Herald Article, 2011", "Director confident that Billy T's talent will be recognised", "Gold and platinum New Zealand albums to 2013", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Billy_T._James&oldid=1139055724. Cherie knew of her fathers wish to be buried next to his mother (Ruby Taitoko) on Taupiri mountain. August 2, 2010 17 Songs, 52 minutes 2010 Viscount Productions. at Pips Cabaret, Whangarei. Unfortunately tape-damaged, Billy T poking fun at TVNZ's popular mid-Eighties "That's Country.