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.

RIP - his stuff on the Catholic mass was comedy gold.

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, 200719 yr by The Critic

RIP Richard Jeni...Your HBO comedy specials have brought pleasure to millions...and what a sweet ass.

 

Edited March 11, 200719 yr by knightni

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.

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.

Wow, I always liked him. This is really sad news. RIP.

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 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.

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.

Bob Crane had a weird life too.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

VERY funny bit on Jaws: The Revenge

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkeyw7xdb4

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.