Comedian Cal Wilson, who died tragically on Wednesday aged 53, is survived by her husband Chris Woods and their teenage son Digby.
Wilson was born in New Zealand and moved to Melbourne in 2003, where she met her future husband in a bar in the suburb of Northcote.
“I was going through a bad relationship at the time and we met at a mutual friend’s concert. I thought, “He could be a big one.” “Twenty years later we are still together with a 14-year-old son,” she said Sydney Morning Herald in July.
The pair married in 2008 and welcomed their son the following year.
Beloved comedian Cal Wilson, who died tragically on Wednesday aged 53, is survived by her husband Chris Woods and their teenage son Digby. Pictured: Cal and Chris on their wedding day in 2003
Woods works in the education sector and appears to be an extremely private person as he was rarely seen at events with his wife.
“Chris is kind and a man of his word,” Wilson explained earlier this year/
“When he couldn’t stay at a concert one night, he told me he had to leave because he wanted to see one of his students run another place. I thought, ‘Wow, here’s a man who chose to be a teacher not for the money, but because he really loves it,'” she added.
Wilson hit a few speed bumps on her way to love and admitted she had ‘terrible taste in men’ in her 20s.
“I was attracted to the bad boys, and eventually I realized they were a-holes,” she said.
She met her first boyfriend at the age of 15. He was 19 at the time and her parents wouldn’t let them spend time alone together.
“He would visit me at my family home, but my parents wouldn’t let me leave the front gate, so I could only talk to him from the yard,” she said.
“It was very clean and innocent and it didn’t last long.”
Melbourne photographer Alan Moyle took to Instagram to share a loving photo of Chris and Cal getting married in 2003 and captioned it with some heartbreaking words.
“We had so many memories, both work and fun, from the first time we did a shoot in 2003 to her and Chris’ colorful wedding,” he wrote.
“I will miss her and miss Chris, Digby, the cats and the whole extended family.”
Cal passed away on Wednesday after a brief illness.
The New Zealand-born TV personality was surrounded by family at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Wilson was born in New Zealand and moved to Melbourne in 2003, where she met her husband in a bar in the suburb of Northcote. Pictured: Wilson with her son Digby in 2015
“I was going through a bad relationship at the time and we met at a mutual friend’s concert. I thought, “He could be a big one.” “Twenty years later we’re still together with a 14-year-old son,” Cal told The Sydney Morning Herald in July.
The star used to live in Melbourne but is understood to have been staying in Sydney while filming Foxtel’s The Great Australian Bake Off.
She also worked as a radio and television presenter, actress and author. She starred in the TV shows Spicks and Specks, Would I Lie To You and Good News Week.
“Cal’s generosity, talent and friendship have been a constant on the Australian comedy scene for the past twenty years,” her management company Token Artists said in a statement.
“Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been ripped in the heart of our community.”
The Christchurch native has performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times and most recently co-hosted Foxtel’s The Great Australian Bake Off and she also appeared in her own stand-up special on Netflix.
The New Zealand-born TV personality was surrounded by family at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She is survived by her husband Chris and son Digby. Pictured: Cal and her parents
In the hours after her death was announced, Darren Purchase – who is a judge on the baking show – released a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
“Cal was an easygoing and cheerful good, funny and kindest man,” he wrote.
“This is so unfair and I will never forget my precious time with Cal.”
He also spoke candidly about the last time he saw Wilson.
“I’m sorry that this happened to such a good person and I can’t get out of my head the last time I saw her when she was very sick,” he wrote.
I wish I could hug him and tell him how much he means to me and so many people.
The exact cause of her death has yet to be confirmed, but her management team at Token Artists said in a statement on Wednesday that she battled a ‘short illness’.
Just five days ago, Wilson appeared in promotional images for Melbourne Fringe Festival act The 50 Year Show.
Tributes for the comedian poured in on social media on Wednesday afternoon.
Australian actress Rebel Wilson said: “This is so tragic and my heart goes out to Cal’s family.”
“I was very fortunate to work with Cal on numerous projects, especially over the last few years, where she wrote great material for me. She was extremely talented and extremely kind.’
Adam Miller, who was a finalist on The Great Australian Bake Off this year, also paid tribute and recalled the moment Wilson comforted him on set.
“I can’t stop thinking about the time Cal saw me alone in the corner of the Bake Off huts, noticed I was so overwhelmed by it all, and gave me the warmest, most comforting hug,” he wrote.
“I burst into tears at this point, and she stood there with me sharing wise and hilarious words to get me through that moment.
Wilson had also worked as a radio and television presenter, actress and author. She starred in the TV shows Spicks and Specks, Would I Lie To You and Good News Week.
Radio presenter Myf Warhurst, who often appeared with Wilson on ABC’s Spicks and Specks, wrote: ‘Oh Cal, what absolutely devastating news. What a joy it was to be in her magnificent orbit over the years. My love to all who love it x’
Show host Adam Hills shared his tribute.
“The news of Cal’s passing has broken me a little, but the love for him has been so moving,” he wrote.
“She was one of the nicest people alive and made everyone happy. All. Off stage and on. This is how you live a life. Long live her soul. I love you Calbo.’
Comedian and TV presenter Julia Zemiro said: ‘More generous. The most excellent. A huge hole in the Arts community and in my heart.’
The 53-year-old has performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 14 times and most recently co-hosted The Great Australian Bake Off.
Block star Shaynna Blaze also paid tribute.
‘I can’t even understand this right now. The most divine, radiant person I have seen, admired and worked with. This is heartbreaking. Much love to her husband, son and family. This is a very sad day,” she said.
Wilson had moved across the divide from Christchurch to Melbourne in 2003, where she appeared on the Skithouse sketch show.
The comedian had performed 14 times at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. She also appeared in her own Netflix stand-up special.
During her confinement, Wilson made elaborate headdresses that she shared with her fans.
A portrait of Wilson wearing a doll headdress and Christmas vestments featured in the 2023 Archibald Prize.
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