Jock Zonfrillo and Cal Wilson receive posthumous awards at 2024 AACTAs
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards have honoured late icons Jock Zonfrillo and Cal Wilson with posthumous awards.
Zonfrillo's wife, Lauren Fried spoke about her late husband after MasterChef won Best Reality Series.
"I'd love to thank Andy Allen," she began her tribute referring to Zonfrillo's fellow judge on the show, who was on the stage with her at the time.
Fried continued, sharing that when her eldest daughter Ava had to deliver her father's eulogy, "she chose Andy to stand by her side and that says everything about the very special place that he has in our family."
"Without Jock, the days seemed like they'd been drained of colour, but today is one of pride and celebration for the kids and I."
Zonfrillo, tragically passed away on April 30, 2023 at age 46, with his body found in a Melbourne hotel following a welfare check.
Cal Wilson also received a posthumous award for the Best Comedy Performer for hosting The Great Australian Bake Off, which her husband Chris Woods, and their 14-year-old son, Digby accepted for her.
Woods said that his late wife would have "bursting with pride" at her achievement and that it was a "dream gig" for her.
"This award was a lovely way to recognise Cal's talent and persistence in the industry," he said.
"Tomorrow will be four months since I lost my wife, four months since Digby lost his mum and four months since the world lost an amazing and talented woman."
The beloved New Zealand- born comedian died on October 11, 2023 after a short battle with cancer.
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