"It's better to have loved and lost...

[raspyni]

Than to sit naked on an ant hill with honey on your butt." -Thomas Snot

One of the great actors/performers has passed away at age 58. Joe Kudla (aka Thomas Snot) of Puke and Snot (http://www.magaga.com) fame died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Minneapolis on Monday, August 11th, 2008.

He was a fantastic performer, a wonderful man, and for me and my partner he was the equivalent of a University Professor. We would watch -- no study -- Puke and Snot in the early '80s at various Renaissance Faires around the country.

We had some great poker nights together in those days. He loved cigars and he could use that thing to create the perfect poker face.

I learned a ton about delivery, character commitment, timing, inflection, stagecraft, and humanity from Joe, and he never even had a clue that he was teaching.

His partner of 35 years, Mark (Puke) Sieve is a gentleman and I send my deepest condolences out to Mark, and of course Joe's family.

Way too young. Way too funny. He gave millions of people the gift of laughter... The world is a better place because of him.

Barry

[Stephon]

That's shocking news. I remember watching them at the MD festival when I was a kid, and have gotten used to seeing Joe at breakfast on festival mornings since they started performing there again. I guess I thought they'd always be there.

[jesus]

Anyone that has performed at renaissance festivals owes this man, and his partner a great deal of thanks.
Puke n' Snot led the way in a very strange industry and made it possible for many of us to do what we do.
Good night and God bless.

[Steven Ragatz]

Indirectly, P&S were one of my earliest inspirations that led me into variety performing. I've watched their shows and knew all of their lines since the seventies. "Ah, ah, ah, ah, staying alive - staying alive..." He will be dearly missed by everyone at all of the faires.

Steven Ragatz

BTW: I learned how to do a three object cascade at the Minneapolis Ren Faire.

[Daniel Mooncalf]

Wow, that's a terrible loss. I'm glad I got to see them a couple of years ago.

They are definitely a legend, and the ONLY performers at KC that people would ask about.