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| William James Taitoko | |
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| Born | 1948 Waikato, New Zealand |
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| Died | August 07, 1991 New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand Maori |
| Other names | Billy T James |
| Occupation | Comedian |
| Known for | Famous New Zealand Personality |
Billy T James, (1948 – August 07, 1991), born William James Taitoko, was a New Zealand entertainer, comedian and actor. He starred in numerous TV shows and variety programs, performed on stage and in motion pictures. He joined the Maori Volcanics Showband in the 1970s and performed around the world. Going solo in Australia and then New Zealand saw him in great demand for his skits and impressions and his cabaret singing.
He starred with Peter Rowley and Annie Whittle in a series of sketches, and starred in Radio Times, on TV in 1980 and the feature film Came a Hot Friday, directed by Ian Mune in 1985. He was New Zealand Entertainer of the Year in 1981 and Entertainer of the Decade in 1985. He and Chris Slane wrote a comic book in 1986 called Billy T James Real Hard Case, and a second comic book in 1987 called Real Hard Case 2. Billy also provided a voice for the 1986 animated film, Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tail. He and Tom Parkinson, of Isambard Productions, devised a 1989 sitcom, The Billy T James Show. Starring effectively as himself, James' co-stars were Ilona Rodgers and Mark Hadlow, with Tania Wehi and Willa O'Neill. The pilot for the series was not broadcast, but was included on Te Video Billy T James and Friends, a VHS compilation of classic James moments released by Isambard Productions. His last television performance was the hour long The Billy T James Show Christmas special in 1990(?).
After his heart transplant in 1988, Billy returned to the stage in 1990, in the variety special Billy T James, Alive and Giggling. Among the special guests was Howard Morrison, another famous Maori entertainer. James' health deteriorated swiftly following the stage show, and he died from a heart attack on 7 August 1991. He was well known for his yellow towel, black singlet and black shorts seen in skits,Te News and Marae Witness News. He is also known for his famous 'Maori chuckle'. He said: "If it wasn't for the Poms you'd all be the same colour as me, mate!", and "I'm half Scot, half Maori. One half wants to get pissed (drunk) and the other doesn't want to pay for it".[1]
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