Snot no more

Sad news: Joe Kudla, better known as the Snot half of Puke & Snot to the legions of fans who watched their often hilarious and occasionally death-defying show at the Renaissance Festival over the last 34 years, died in his Minneapolis home on Monday of an apparent heart attack. He was 58.

More from the Renaissance Festival's press release:

Puke & Snot’s Joe Kudla dies at age 58

Shakopee, MN- The Minnesota Renaissance Festival’s famous Puke & Snot family mourns the death of Joe Kudla, also known as Thomas Snot to hundreds of his fans. Kudla passed away Monday morning in his northeast Minneapolis home from an apparent heart attack.

“We are saddened by this tragic news. He will be missed by the Minnesota Renaissance Festival staff, the 300,000 people that attend the show and the entire entertainment community in general. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends”, said Jim Peterson, President of Mid-America Festivals.

Puke & Snot have been performing at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for the past 34 years on the famous pirate ship known as the Legend Stage. Together, the duo has entertained hundreds of thousands of Renaissance patrons with their witty jokes and medieval humor. The 2008 Minnesota Renaissance Festival will welcome back Puke & Snot. John Gamoke, who has played the role of Snot at other venues, will perform with Mark Sieve this season.

Kudla’s Puke & Snot partner, Mark Sieve, will continue to post updates regarding funeral dates and times on their website www.pukensnot.com under Puke’s blog. Kudla is survived by a daughter, Angela; his mother, Mary, and a brother, Michael. A memorial will be held for Kudla at this year’s Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

An undated photo of Puke & Snot