Cal Wilson was a New Zealander stand-up comedian, author, and radio and television presenter who was primarily based in Australia. During her career, she appeared on Australian comedy shows like SkitHOUSE, Rove Live, Thank God You're Here, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks and more. Furthermore, her hosting role for the seventh season of The Great Australian Bake Off was revealed in August 2022. Tragically, Cal Wilson's promising career and life were cut short, as she passed away on October 11, 2023, at the age of 53, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
Cal Wilson, a celebrated New Zealander comedian, author, and presenter based in Australia, achieved the prestigious Billy T. comedy award in 1997, shared with Ewen Gilmour. She also hosted The Great Australian Bake Off and appeared on SBS's "Who the Bloody Hell Are You?" Sadly, she died on October 11, 2023, at age 53.
Cal Wilson was born on October 5, 1970, in Christchurch, New Zealand, with Wellington as her hometown. She held New Zealander nationality and came from a mixed ethnic background. In 2023, she last celebrated her 53rd birthday. About her family, she was the daughter of her father, Fraeme, an engineer, and her mother, Barbara, who worked as a primary school teacher. Growing up, she had two siblings: Richard, a civil engineer, and Sean, a physiotherapist. Following her high school education in Christchurch, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Canterbury.
Cal Wilson, a notable figure in the world of comedy, co-founded the Court Jesters improv group in 1990 and achieved international recognition as part of the New Zealand team that secured the World Theatresports title in Los Angeles in 1994. She transitioned to stand-up comedy, and in 1997, she became the first-ever winner of New Zealand's prestigious Billy T. Comedy Award, sharing the honor with Ewen Gilmour.
Wilson was a regular presence on TV3's Pulp Comedy and later moved to Melbourne in 2003. In 2001, she clinched the "Best Newcomer" award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and her performances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2004 garnered critical acclaim. Notably, her 2006 show, "Up There, Cal Wilson," enjoyed sold-out success at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Furthermore, Cal had also appeared on the Australian comedy shows SkitHOUSE, Rove Live, Thank God You're Here, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, The Project, Celebrity Name Game, Show Me the Movie!, Would I Lie to You? Australia, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have a Problem, and the New Zealand TV show 7 days. In 2002, she contributed to the screenplay of the New Zealand sitcom "Willy Nilly."
Moving forward, she joined the ensemble cast of the Australian sketch comedy TV show "The Wedge" in 2007. Additionally, she participated in the eighth series of the Australian "Dancing with the Stars" in 2008, where, paired with series 7 winner Craig Monley, she was the third eliminated contestant. In 2010, Wilson assumed the role of host for the program Sleuth 101 and also engaged in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Great Debate.
In 2012, she made guest appearances on the UK comedy quiz show QI and later served as the captain of "Team Cal" on the Australian TV series Slide Show in 2013. In 2018, Wilson lent her voice to characters Petal and Thorn in the children's TV series Kitty Is Not a Cat. She recorded a Netflix Original Comedy Special titled Comedians of the World in 2019, representing New Zealand, and embarked on a stand-up tour with her show "Gifted Underachiever."
In 2022, Wilson participated in the eighth season of the Australian version of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here. In August 2022, it was announced that she would take on the hosting duties for the seventh season of The Great Australian Bake Off, joining forces with Natalie Tran and welcoming new judges Darren Purchese and Rachel Khoo. Furthermore, in mid-2023, Wilson made an appearance in SBS's Who the Bloody Hell Are You? during Season 1, Episode 2.
In 2007, Cal Wilson embarked on a co-hosting venture alongside Akmal Saleh, delivering the drive-time radio show "The Akmal Show with Cal Wilson" (later renamed "The Wrong Way Home with Akmal, Cal, and Ed"). This program was broadcast on Nova FM across multiple major Australian cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
Prior to this role, she made regular guest appearances on the Triple M show "Get This." In 2009, Wilson shifted gears and co-hosted "Mornings on Nova 100" in Melbourne alongside Dylan Lewis, but she ultimately decided to resign from her position at Nova 100 in November 2009.
Cal Wilson was a married woman who wed her husband, Chris Woods, in 2008, and they were blessed with a son Digby (born in 2009). By profession, Chris Woods is a musician and a sound engineer. The family resided in Sunshine, a suburb of Melbourne, and enjoyed their time together until the unfortunate passing of Cal Wilson on October 11, 2023.
Cal Wilson's death cause was a rare and aggressive form of cancer. When news of her death was announced, the cause was initially described as a "short illness". She passed away on October 11, 2023, merely six days after celebrating her 53rd birthday. She died at 53. Her passing occurred at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, Sydney, where she had been hospitalized for two weeks leading up to her death. Her health had deteriorated after collapsing on the set of "The Great Australian Bake Off." At the time of this report, the family was planning his final funeral arrangement and the details are yet to be finalized.
Her management company Token Artists announced the sad news, sharing a statement "We are devastated to share the news that Cal Wilson, the much-loved stand-up comedian, writer, and actor died today, surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney". "Cal’s generosity, talent and friendship have been constants in the Australian comedy scene for the last twenty years. Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans, and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community."
Fellow writer and illustrator Megan Herbert said people didn’t need to have known Wilson personally to know she was the "absolute best of people". "I can’t even comprehend this right now. The most divine, radiant person who I have watched, admired, and worked alongside. This is heartbreaking. So much love to her husband, son, and family. This is a very very sad day" said designer Shaynna Blaze. "Vale beautiful friend. I’m a better person for knowing you. Thank you for giving the world your joy. My love goes out to all Cal’s amazing family and wonderful friends," said TV and radio host Dylan Lewis.
Cal Wilson was a renowned stand-up comedian, author, and versatile radio and television presenter. Her estimated net worth at the time of her passing stood at $5 million, with an annual income ranging between $500,000 and $1 million. Her primary sources of wealth stemmed from her successful career as a stand-up comedian, and author, and her contributions to the realms of radio and television. She lived life to the fullest before her untimely demise, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Cal Wilson did not grow up as the only child of her parents, Graeme and Barbara. She shared her upbringing with her two brothers, Richard and Sean, who pursued careers in civil engineering and physiotherapy, respectively. This familial background offered her a well-rounded perspective and support network as she embarked on her own journey in the world of comedy and entertainment.
In addition to her accomplishments in comedy and entertainment, Cal Wilson showcased her versatile talents as an author by penning two engaging children's books: "George And The Great Bum Stampede" and "George And The Great Brain Swappery." These imaginative and playful titles delve into the world of young readers, bringing to life entertaining adventures that captivate the imagination and offer a delightful reading experience for children.
Cal Wilson, along with her husband, Chris Woods, is blessed with a son named Digby. Digby,14, was born in the year 2009. She embraced the role of a loving and dedicated mother, and the family shared a content and joy-filled life together before the untimely passing of Cal Wilson. Cal Wilson is survived by her husband, Chris Woods, and their son, Digby.
Throughout her career, Wilson had appeared on the Australian comedy shows SkitHOUSE, Rove Live, Thank God You're Here, Good News Week, Spicks and Specks, The Project, Celebrity Name Game, Show Me the Movie!, Would I Lie to You? Australia, Have You Been Paying Attention? and Hughesy, We Have a Problem, and the New Zealand TV show 7 days. In mid-2023, she was featured in SBS's Who the Bloody Hell Are You? (Season 1, Episode 2).