Comedian Matt Billon died following a show in Mexico on Wednesday, Nov. 24. He's remembered by a pair of Nanaimo comedians indebted to the popular performer. (Facebook)

By Ian Holmes

comedian remembered

Death of well known stand-up star devastates local comedians

Nov 26, 2021 | 6:23 AM

NANAIMO — Matt Billon soared with the heaviest hitters in stand-up comedy, but still made time for emerging talent, including Nanaimo artists.

Billon, 42, a mainstay in Canadian stand-up comedy for more than 20 years, died in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico following a Wednesday, Nov 24 performance, close friends confirmed with NanaimoNewsNOW.

Heartbroken Nanaimo comedian Peter Hudson said he’s still trying to comprehend the shocking news.

“He was such a naturally amazing comedian,” an emotional Hudson said.

Billon’s ultra quick wit and smooth delivery earned him regular slots in North American mainsteam media and was consistently on stage with top industry talent.

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Billon was the most talented comedian in the country in the eyes of Hudson, who emphasized his trademark natural delivery and endearing personality.

Known as clever, edgy with exceptionally sharp stage presence, Billon built a career through repetition with thousands of live performances.

Hudson and Billon became friends after the pair struck a connection at a Calgary comedy festival in 2013.

They would end up performing hundreds of shows together on Vancouver Island and across western Canada.

This past summer Billon made a point of opening for Hudson at a show in Tofino.

“That just shows you what type of person he was. No headline comedian will ever give you that space and say ‘you’re headlining it, I’m opening for you.’”

While Billon intended to grow the comedy scene in Mexico, he also had plans to return to Nanamo, Hudson said.

“I have to tell my daughter in the morning, she’s four, that’s uncle Matty to her. She loves him.”

(L-R) Peter Hudson, Matt Billon & Ty Lemmon at Hecklers Bar & Grill in Victoria.

Fellow local comedian Ty Lemmon recounted the profound impact Billon had on his life.

He described Billon as selfless and genuine who took pride in building up other comedians.

“He was the nicest human being, he’d always want to meet up and go over your material which was unheard of for somebody of his level, that just never happened,” Lemmon said.

Lemmon opened dozens of shows for Billon on Vancouver Island in recent years.

He said Billon had a unique ability to incorporate audience members into his routine with dazzling proficiency.

Billon’s passing will leave a big hole in the comedy community, especially in B.C. where Billon grew up, Lemmon noted.

“He was the best mentor and friend any guy could ever have.”

Billon gained notoriety in the United States while performing regularly at The Comedy Store, a renowned club in Hollywood, Calif.

The two Nanaimo comedians intend to host memorial shows in the city in Billon’s honour.

They pointed to an iTunes album titled Appetite for Chicken Wings recorded in Calgary in 2020 as an example of some of Billon’s top recent work.

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