Zig and Zag (Australian performers)

Zig and Zag
Two sets of colour photos. The clown act, in make-up, are shown at left; they are standing. The performers, without make-up, at right, are seated. The first photo has an eighty year old man wearing a cylindrical shaped hat which is mostly striped in red and white and has the sponsor's logo in white print on a black oval. He holds a banjo and wears a red and white polka dot bow tie, a blue coat with his name printed in red on his top left. The second eighty year old man has his left hand raised in a wave and wears a light blue conical hat with dark blue stripes. The sponsor's name is at the rim on top of his blonde curly wig. He wears a dark blue kerchief, with white polka dots, tied above his shirt. The shirt has large orange circles on white background with his name in red on his top left. His pants show white and green stripes held by a large black button. In the second photo the first man again holds a banjo; he wears a dark suit coat with a dark tie and a light-coloured shirt. The second man wears a light blue and white striped shirt.
Zig and Zag, Jack Perry (left) and Doug McKenzie (right), 1998
MediumTelevision, radio
NationalityAustralian
Years active1956 (1956)–1999 (1999)
GenresClown, slapstick
Notable works and rolesPeters Fun Fair
Former members
  • Jack Perry
  • Douglas McKenzie

Zig and Zag, were an entertainer clown duo from Melbourne consisting of Jack Asher Perry (31 December 1916 – 22 June 2006) and Douglas McKenzie (22 March 1918 – 4 August 2004), respectively. Both had been born in England and migrated to Australia. They became notable for appearing on Australian television from its inception in 1956 until 1999 beginning with Peters Fun Fair (1956–69). They also featured on the annual Moomba parade (a community festival), and were regulars at annual charity events including the Good Friday Appeal to raise funds Royal Children's Hospital.

Perry was also an actor on television serials and presenter whilst McKenzie, was also a radio and television presenter, producer and former World War II soldier.

In March 1999 it was revealed that Jack Perry had been convicted in 1994 of the indecent assault of his granddaughter, which caused considerable controversy and the duo subsequently parted ways.