bjm676 Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 I remember watching this guy a lot on TV. Very funny. RIP. Richard Jeni, one of Comedy Central's Top 100 Comedians of All Time, is dead. According to police, Jeni was found dead presumably from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Saturday, March 10, 2007. A loaded gun was reportedly found next to his body. His website, richardjeni.com, has gone dark (except for a grayed-out logo) and the story is still developing. More information will be made available when we hear it. SHECKYmagazine.com & Extra are also reporting the death. The word being whispered -- among more than one party close to the deceased -- throughout the comedy grapevine is that Richard Jeni simply chose to end his life. Jeni was in his West Hollywood, CA apartment. He had reportedly been scheduled to perform at the Chicago Improv last night, but cancelled several weeks ago. It is said that he chose to take his life because he was ill. We could speculate, but out of respect for Richard and his family we will not. Autopsy results are expected soon. We will offer further information as it becomes available. Richard Jeni was an American stand-up comedian. He was raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York. Jeni first received recognition through a series of Showtime stand-up specials and frequent appearances on The Tonight Show. HBO brass noticed Jeni's talent, and he was soon picked up for his first appearance on the coveted HBO Comedy Hour in 1992, entitled Richard Jeni: Platypus Man. The show received critical acclaim, and Jeni would return for two more shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Prawn Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 RIP - his stuff on the Catholic mass was comedy gold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 (edited) Wow, that's really sad news. He must have seen no way to get through his problems to off himself like that. Jeni was a pretty funny guy. R.I.P. Richard. Edited March 11, 2007 by The Critic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 (edited) RIP Richard Jeni...Your HBO comedy specials have brought pleasure to millions...and what a sweet ass. Edited March 11, 2007 by knightni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Yes, his HBO specials were top notch. He had a TV show for a bit also, but can't remember the name of it. It's too bad he chose to end his life due to illness. That tends to play hell with life insurance benefits, if he had any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 I recall watching an HBO special of his recently. He would continually bring up his wife during various bits. I can't imagine what she's going through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Wow, I always liked him. This is really sad news. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro1983hat Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 I saw him at Second City once. He was here doing the local comedy club tour several times a year. I didn't think he was fall-on-the-floor funny, but he was a pretty good comedian. Comedians lead a very stange life. That stand-up comedian that hosted the Family Fued also killed himself. Then you look at the lives and deaths of John Belushi, Chris Farley and Phil Hartman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 QUOTE(retro1983hat @ Mar 12, 2007 -> 08:09 AM) I saw him at Second City once. He was here doing the local comedy club tour several times a year. I didn't think he was fall-on-the-floor funny, but he was a pretty good comedian. Comedians lead a very stange life. That stand-up comedian that hosted the Family Fued also killed himself. Then you look at the lives and deaths of John Belushi, Chris Farley and Phil Hartman. I dont really see how Phil Hartman is relevant. Belushi and Farley killed themselves with drugs, Jeni and Combs committed suicide, but Phil Hartman was killed by his wife who was completely nuts on Zoloft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Well history does show us that comedians are rarely "funny" in real life, and are often the most tragic of people. Lou Costello and Bud Abbott had more than their fare share of demons (I believe it was Bud that was reknowned for his HUGE Porn collection), as have almost all of the big guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Bob Crane had a weird life too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Controlled Chaos Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 He was suppose to be at the improv comedy club in Woodfield this past Saturday. A group of us we're going to go, but found out the show was cancelled early in the week. RIP Platypus man!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptatc Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Mar 12, 2007 -> 09:48 AM) Well history does show us that comedians are rarely "funny" in real life, and are often the most tragic of people. Lou Costello and Bud Abbott had more than their fare share of demons (I believe it was Bud that was reknowned for his HUGE Porn collection), as have almost all of the big guys. Chris Farley was an absolutely funny guy in college. I used to go out drinking with him. He was a great guy. I heard the drugs and such changed him when he hit it big but I really enjoyed hanging arounmd with th guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 QUOTE(ptatc @ Mar 12, 2007 -> 06:45 PM) Chris Farley was an absolutely funny guy in college. I used to go out drinking with him. He was a great guy. I heard the drugs and such changed him when he hit it big but I really enjoyed hanging arounmd with th guy. But that's what I mean. These guys all seem to have some serious demons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipps Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 He was one of the very few comedians that I was truly angry about how UNfunny his act was.Plus he acted like a little baby when they were playing with him on the radio just goofing,like he was some primadonna.Yet I cant help but be sad for him to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 VERY funny bit on Jaws: The Revenge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkeyw7xdb4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 QUOTE(ptatc @ Mar 12, 2007 -> 07:45 PM) Chris Farley was an absolutely funny guy in college. I used to go out drinking with him. He was a great guy. I heard the drugs and such changed him when he hit it big but I really enjoyed hanging arounmd with th guy. I actually know a guy who also went to college with him and spent a lot of time with him. He has some hilarious stories about him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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