Jamie Dunn, the beloved Australian entertainer known as the voice behind the iconic puppet Agro, has passed away at the age of 76. A radio industry source confirms the news, with additional details still forthcoming.
Dunn leaves behind his wife, Maree, and five children: Poppy, Stella, Jackson, Jamie, and Max.
Rise to Fame with Agro’s Cartoon Connection
Dunn skyrocketed to stardom in the 1980s and 1990s through the weekday morning program Agro’s Cartoon Connection, which ran for nine successful seasons. The show featured co-hosts Ann-Maree Biggar, Teresa Livingstone, Holly Brisley, and Michael ‘Gibbo’ Gibson alongside the sharp-witted puppet.
Ann-Maree Biggar later appeared on programs including The Great Outdoors, In Melbourne Tonight, Good Morning Australia, and 9AM with David & Kim.
Career Beginnings and Longevity
Dunn first voiced Agro in 1982 following a dispute between the puppet’s original creator and Channel Seven. He continued bringing the character to life for over 30 years.
Originally a drummer and singer, Dunn entered television as Agro’s fame grew, securing spots on Seven’s Super Saturday and The Super Saturday Show.
Missed Hollywood Opportunity
In 2020, Dunn recounted a near-miss on a major Agro film project. He met with Village Roadshow’s John Kirby, drafted a script—at one point paying a writer $10,000 for the first version—and reworked it himself to avoid copyright issues.
‘I just didn’t get there [with the script] and in the meantime things change. So my $17 million profit just disappeared,’ Dunn reflected. He estimated production at $2 million, eyeing substantial profits, but Kirby deemed the concept too costly at around $19 million.
Later Ventures in Stage and Radio
Dunn launched an adults-only stage tour, Agro Up Late with Jamie Dunn. On radio, he co-hosted Brisbane’s B105 Morning Crew until 2005 with Donna Lynch and Ian Skippen, performing as both Agro and himself.
Subsequent roles included Zinc Morning Zoo on Sunshine Coast’s Zinc 96 until 2008, a talk-back show on 1116 4BC until 2010, and a return to Brisbane airwaves with an hourly Saturday morning slot on Triple M nearly a decade later.
