Posted on: Friday, May 31, 2002

Memorial service set for comedian Benton

Advertiser Staff

James Grant Benton Advertiser Library Photo

A memorial service for James Grant Benton, one of the founding members of the Booga Booga comedy team, will be held at 2 p.m. June 8 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, Emalani Theatre.

Benton died Tuesday at Castle Medical Center of an apparent heart attack. He was 53.

Benton was born Jan. 15, 1949 in Honolulu and graduated from McKinley High School in 1967. He attended the University of Hawai'i-Manoa from 1971 and 1973 but never received a degree.

In 1975, Benton, along with Edward Ka'ahea and Rap Reiplinger, formed the groundbreaking comedy troupe Booga Booga. His work in recent years included small parts in movies and on TV series shot in Hawai'i, as well as radio and TV spots.

Benton is survived by his wife, Deborah; son, Kui; granddaughter, Nai'a; mother, Ann Wilms; brothers, Jack and Ralph; and sister, Kathy Ahlo.