WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. Richard Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds and was a "Tonight Show" regular, was found dead in a West Hollywood home. Los Angeles Police said they responded to a call from a woman Saturday morning saying her boyfriend had shot himself. http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=6210198 Comedian Richard Jeni dead at 45 Jeni was taken to a local hospital and died sometime later from his injuries. Jeni, who has appeared on the "The Tonight Show" numerous times and acted in the Jim Carrey movie "The Mask," was 45 years old. The comedian starred in several H-B-O comedies and in 2005, he wrote some of the material for the Academy Awards hosted by his friend Chris Rock. The Brooklyn-born comic first received national attention in 1990 with the Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City." Two years later, his "Crazy From the Heat" special attracted the highest ratings in Showtime's history. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This is f*cking horrible. This guy was damn funny; I kind of assumed from most of his material that he was a married family man, not necessarily the kind of person who would kill himself (though Freddie Prinze Jr would probably disagree).
huh. Crazy stuff. Wiki is already updated. For some reason, I imagined he'd been in more films that what's listed.
We all can get to that place where we actually do it. Thats why when you see your bro's listen to them and hug 'em and let 'em know how much you love 'em. because no matter how good it seems, we are all just a few steps from being a few feet from the edge.
I think there is something with being depressive/potentially suicidal and being drawn to comedy. Most comedians strike me as inherently unhappy people. I don’t mean to belittle Mr. Jeni’s life, but I don’t think a comedian dying from suicide or excessive drug abuse will ever shock me.
I think he meant Freddie Prinze, who committed suicide. My bad if you were just making a big deal out of a little mistake.
I didn't know there was a Freddie Prinze and a Freddie Prinze Jr. - I was just trying to find out if the actor Freddie Prinze himself killed himself, too, because I googled after I read that post and couldn't find anything about it. But thanks for the info.
Sometimes I forget you are in Germany. Freddie Prinze was Jr's dad, he was a hispanic comedian who was a fast rising star and had a hit sitcom. Committed suicide when he was just 22. I wasn't alive back then, but I saw something on E! about it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Prinze
I think they may be able recognize aspects of life that others are unable or afraid to see. They can see beyond the bull**** and are willing to confront the hypocriscy. It must be lonely. "All my humor is based upon destruction and despair. If the whole world were tranquil, without disease and violence, I'd be standing on the breadline right in back of J. Edgar Hoover. " ~ Lenny Bruce
I've heard a lot of this guy's stuff on XM. Really funny guy. I heard him being interviewed on 52. This sucks. I thought the world really really lost out on a some serious comedic talent hen Mitch Hedberg died, and now this.
Probably.One of the best sitcom theme songs, though I watched the Richard Jeni specials on Showtime. Dont remember exact jokes but remember getting some big laughs from it. He'd make the occassional appearance on some radio shows with some very quick witted geniunely FUNNY stuff. That's too bad... Same here, doesn't shock me as much anymore what happens with some comedians...them and wrestlers can go out early
