Cal Wilson Parents, Siblings, Age, Cause of Death, Husband, Kids, Obituary, Biography, and more
Cal Wilson, the New Zealand-born comedian and presenter who charmed audiences with her witty and warm personality, passed away on October 11, 2023, at the age of 53, after a short battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Wilson, who was based in Australia for most of her career, was a versatile and talented performer who appeared on numerous comedy and television shows, such as SkitHOUSE, Rove Live, Thank God You’re Here, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, QI, Slide Show, and The Great Australian Bake Off.
She also wrote and starred in the New Zealand sitcom Willy Nilly, voiced characters in the children’s TV series Kitty Is Not a Cat, and recorded a Netflix Original Comedy Special titled Comedians of the World. In addition, she was a successful stand-up comedian, author, and radio host, who won several awards and accolades for her work.
Cal Wilson Bio/Wiki
| Popular As | Cal Wilson |
| Occupation | comedian and presenter |
| Age | 53 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Born | 5 October, 1970 |
| Birthday | 5 October |
| Birthplace | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Date of death | October 11, 2023 |
| Died Place | Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Links | Instagram- @calbowilson Homepage- Newsunzip |
Biography
Cal Wilson was born on October 5, 1970 (age: 53 years, as of 2023), in Christchurch, New Zealand, with Wellington as her hometown. She was the daughter of Graeme, an engineer, and Barbara, a primary school teacher. She had two brothers, Richard, a civil engineer, and Sean, a physiotherapist. Wilson was interested in comedy and acting from a young age, and participated in school plays and drama clubs.
She also enjoyed reading and writing, and was an avid fan of Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. After high school, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Canterbury, where she studied English literature and psychology.
Comedy Career
Wilson’s comedy career began in 1990, when she co-founded the Court Jesters improv group in Christchurch. She was part of the New Zealand team that won the World Theatresports title in Los Angeles in 1994, beating teams from Canada, Australia, and the US. She then moved to stand-up comedy full-time, and in 1997, she became the first-ever winner (with Ewen Gilmour) of New Zealand’s most prestigious comedy award, the Billy T. She also regularly appeared on TV3’s Pulp Comedy, a show that featured local comedians performing live.
In 2003, Cal Wilson moved to Melbourne, Australia, to pursue more opportunities in comedy. She quickly established herself as one of the leading comedians in the country, winning the “Best Newcomer” award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2001. She also performed to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2004, where she was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award. Her 2006 show, Up There, Cal Wilson, sold out at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and was later released as a DVD. Wilson continued to perform stand-up comedy throughout her career, touring nationally and internationally, and appearing at various festivals and events. She also recorded a Netflix Original Comedy Special in 2019, representing New Zealand in the Comedians of the World series.
Television
Wilson’s television career was equally impressive, as she appeared on numerous comedy and television shows in both New Zealand and Australia. She was a writer and actor for the New Zealand sitcom Willy Nilly, which ran from 2001 to 2003, and featured the adventures of a dysfunctional family. She also starred in the Australian sketch comedy show The Wedge in 2007, where she played various characters, such as a suburban housewife, a news reporter, and a psychic. She was also a writer for the series.
Cal Wilson was also a popular guest and host on various comedy panel and quiz shows, such as Rove Live, Thank God You’re Here, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, QI, and 7 Days. She was known for her quick wit, hilarious anecdotes, and charming personality.
She also hosted her own show, Sleuth 101, in 2010, where she invited comedians to solve a murder mystery. In 2013, she was the captain of “Team Cal” on the Australian light entertainment show Slide Show, where she and her teammates performed various challenges and stunts based on slides. In 2022, she participated in the eighth season of the Australian version of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, where she endured various trials and tasks in the South African jungle. She also hosted the seventh season of The Great Australian Bake Off in 2023, alongside Natalie Tran and new judges Darren Purchese and Rachel Khoo.
Wilson also ventured into voice acting, lending her voice to Petal and Thorn, two of the main characters in the children’s TV series Kitty Is Not a Cat, which premiered in 2018. The show followed the adventures of a young girl who lived with a group of anthropomorphic cats.
Radio and Writing
Wilson was also a successful radio host and author, who showcased her skills and talents in different mediums. She co-hosted several radio shows, such as The Wrong Way Home with Akmal Saleh on Nova 100 in Melbourne, The Cal Wilson Experiment on Mix 101.1 in Melbourne, and Cal Wilson and Tony Martin on Vega 91.5 in Melbourne. She also had her own radio show, Cal’s Big Breakfast, on More FM in New Zealand.
Cal Wilson also wrote and published several books, such as George and Ghost (2011), a children’s picture book about a boy and his imaginary friend, and It’s Not Me, It’s You (2017), a collection of humorous essays about her life and experiences. She also contributed to various magazines and newspapers, such as The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Big Issue.
Personal Life and Death
Wilson married Chris Woods, a sound engineer, in 2008, after dating for six years. The couple had a son, Digby, who was born in 2010. They lived in Sunshine, a suburb of Melbourne, where they enjoyed gardening, cooking, and spending time with their pets. Wilson was also a passionate supporter of various charities and causes, such as Oxfam, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and the Cancer Council.
Cal Wilson died on October 11, 2023, at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, Sydney, from a rare and aggressive form of cancer, six days after her 53rd birthday. She had been in hospital for two weeks before her death. Her family and friends were by her side, and released a statement saying that she was “an amazing, talented, and beautiful person who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her”. They also thanked the public for their support and respect for their privacy.
Her death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from her fans, colleagues, and peers, who expressed their sadness and admiration for her. Many celebrities and comedians, such as Rove McManus, Wil Anderson, Dave Hughes, Judith Lucy, Hamish Blake, Andy Lee, and Julia Morris, shared their memories and condolences on social media and in the media. Wilson’s funeral was held on October 18, 2023, at the Melbourne Town Hall, where hundreds of people gathered to celebrate her life and legacy. The service was live-streamed online for those who could not attend. Wilson was cremated and her ashes were scattered in a private ceremony.
Net Worth
| YEAR | NET WORTH |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $1M |
| 2022 | $2M |
| 2023 | $4M |
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 ft 1 in
- Weight: 56 kg
- Eye color: Hazel
- Hair color: Light brown
Cal Wilson was a beloved comedian and presenter who made millions of people laugh and smile with her brilliant and hilarious performances. She was also a talented and versatile performer who excelled in various fields, such as stand-up comedy, television, radio, and writing. She was also a kind and generous person who cared deeply for her family, friends, and causes. She left behind a remarkable body of work and a lasting impact on the comedy and entertainment industry. She will be remembered as one of the best and brightest stars of her generation, and as a source of inspiration and joy for many. Rest in peace, Cal Wilson. You will be dearly missed.
