Australian television has lost one of its most mischievous voices, with the man famously behind Agro leaving a legacy that helped shape a generation of kids TV.
Jamie Dunn, the performer who brought the cheeky puppet to life on Agro’s Cartoon Connection, has died aged 76 after reportedly becoming unwell at his home on Saturday morning, leaving behind his wife of seven years, Maree and extended family.
Dunn rose to national fame in the late 1980s and 1990s through Seven children’s programs including Wombat and Agro’s Cartoon Connection, where the puppet’s quick fire gags and not so subtle innuendo became part of Australian morning television folklore.
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The show became a huge hit, winning seven consecutive TV Week Logie Awards for Most Popular Children’s Program and helping bring the character of Agro to national prominence.
In a statement released today, Seven’s Group Managing Director, Television, Angus Ross said Dunn’s comedic instincts were central to the character’s success and enduring popularity.
“Thanks to the comic genius of Jamie, Agro became one of the most popular and unique characters on Australian TV, entertaining a generation of children and adults for many years.”
Away from television, Dunn built a formidable career in radio as part of Brisbane’s B105 Morning Crew, where the breakfast show dominated ratings for more than a decade and helped shape Brisbane commercial radio.
Jamie Dunn with B105 Morning Crew colleagues Robin Bailey and Ian Skippen alongside Agro during their Brisbane radio days (image – Facebook / Robin Bailey)
Radio presenter Robin Bailey, who spent years alongside Dunn on Brisbane’s B105 Morning Crew (pictured above), paid tribute on social media, saying his storytelling and generosity shaped those around him.
“Jamie’s story telling was legendary. He showed me how to craft an idea into an epic yarn that made you laugh and cry.”
Sofie Formica pictured with Agro during a reunion at 4BC Brisbane studios, where she recently reconnected with Jamie Dunn decades after first working with him on Wombat (image – Facebook / Sophie Formica)
Tributes quickly flowed from across the media industry following news of Dunn’s death, with 4BC Brisbane Mornings co-host Sofie Formica recalling her earliest TV experience alongside him.
“My first audition in 1989 for Wombat was with the man behind the puppet, and that’s where my television journey began.”
Shelley Craft pictured with Agro during the Seven Super Saturday era, recalling the studio chaos Dunn created that shaped a generation of Queensland kids TV (image – Facebook / Shelley Craft)
Television personality Shelley Craft also remembered Dunn’s impact on a generation of Queensland viewers who grew up watching the puppet’s chaotic studio antics.
“Jamie Dunn was the brilliant mind and voice behind Agro. Together they shaped the childhood of so many Queensland kids in the 80s and 90s.”
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Craft recalled first experiencing television magic while sitting in the audience for Seven Super Saturday, watching Dunn and Agro create what she described as unforgettable studio chaos.
Tributes were also shared by media personalities including Karl Stefanovic, Larry Emdur, Ben Fordham, Ray Hadley and Natalie Barr, along with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Dunn’s final television interview is believed to have been with TV Blackbox’s Rob McKnight just weeks ago, reflecting on his career and the enduring legacy of Agro, which can be watched HERE.
Jamie Dunn pictured with personality Ben from Brisbane during his adult stage show Agro Up Late, which he revealed late last year was in talks to become a TV special (image – Instagram / Jamie Dunn)
In December Dunn revealed on social media he was in talks with Seven about a one hour Agro Up Late television special for 2026, after touring the adult stage show around Australia in recent years, sharing the update alongside former Wombat co star Ranger Stacey.
It remains unclear whether the special will proceed in its originally planned form.
For generations of Australian viewers, the chaos of Saturday morning TV will always sound a little bit like a bathmat with attitude.
Vale Jamie Dunn.
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