20 Comedians Who Died Too Soon

John Ritter

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John Ritter initially rose to prominence on the strength of his physical comedy, particularly when he starred as Jack Tripper on the sitcom, “Three’s Company.” This reputation followed Ritter throughout his career, all the way to his sudden and untimely death in 2003. The actor branched out into other areas of television and film, as well, including appearances in the 1990 miniseries “It,” as well as some dramatic work in 1996’s “Sling Blade.” Ritter was a funny man through and through, however, boasting a likable personality that lit up a room. His comedic presence was exaggerated and mugging, an over-the-top presence that was larger than life, and impossible to ignore.

It didn’t matter whether you knew Patrice O’Neal from the world of radio on “The Opie and Anthony Show,” his numerous television appearances or his ruthlessly hilarious stand-up: the man knew how to make an impression. This is, in part, why O’Neal is so missed by his fans; this sense of fearlessness that made audiences at his stand-up shows feel as if anything could happen. O’Neal had been living with diabetes for years prior to suffering a stroke in October of 2011. His condition quickly worsened, and Patrice finally expired from complications on November 29th of that year.

Make no mistake: comedy is a tough business. It’s tough finding that secret formula to make people laugh, and it’s even more difficult finding new ways to achieve this goal year after year. Madeline Kahn was one of those magical comediennes, however, an affable and reliable presence that delivered the goods every time she was on the screen. Kahn is primarily known for her work with Mel Brooks, appearing in hits like “Young Frankenstein,” “Blazing Saddles,” and “History of the World, Part I.” The actress worked consistently throughout the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, before a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 1998 forced Kahn to slow down. The disease would ultimately take her life on December 3rd, 1999.

Some comedians specialize in one style of delivery, while others can convincingly move between various methods, while being successful in all of them. Ralphie May was that sort of comedian, a funny man known for his witty barbs and quick, rapid-fire jokes, while at the same time able to retain his audience’s attention with solid storytelling. His childhood wasn’t the healthiest, and May struggled with his weight, but the last years of his life saw the comedian attempting to turn over a new leaf. Ralphie May suffered a fatal heart attack on October 6th, 2017, leaving behind a wife, two kids, and a fanbase who never forgot the laughs.

It’s easy to take for granted the allowances comedians have today for language that’s accepted out on the stage. It wasn’t so easy for the iconic Lenny Bruce to have his say back in the fifties and sixties, as this firebrand comic was actually arrested for obscenity in 1961. Bruce’s masterful use of language and his eagerness to offend and enthrall in equal measure made him a legend in his own time, but fans today still wonder where Bruce might’ve gone, had he survived into the seventies. Unfortunately, the comic suffered a crippling substance use disorder that ultimately took his life on August 3rd, 1966.

John Belushi

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The loss of John Belushi in 1982 sent shockwaves throughout the world of comedy. This wasn’t only due to the man’s immense amount of talent, but also the influence Belushi had upon generations of comedians that would follow in his wake. Sadly, John’s predilection towards substance abuse also served as a cautionary tale to those who might consider following in his shoes, as Belushi’s genius was taken from the world far too soon. Forgetting for a moment his classic work as an inaugural cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” or his iconic movie roles: John Belushi would still be amazing. His timing was impeccable, his mannerisms unforgettable. He was truly one of a kind.

All seemed to be going well for Freddie Prinze at the dawn of 1977. He had a respected stand-up comedy career and a hit sitcom titled “Chico and the Man.” This influential comedian suffered from depression, however, and this was compounded after his wife filed for divorce against Prince in the autumn of 1976. Freddie had also struggled with an addiction to Quaaludes, and it was later ruled that the medication had an influence in Prinze’s final decision to take his own life. At only 22 years of age, Freddie Prinze still had a lot to give the world, and it’s unfortunate that we’ll never get to see what might have been.

Sam Kinison

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There was no stand-up comedian with as much fire-and-brimstone power as Sam Kinison. This former preacher brought that same sort of powerful stage presence and commanding voice to the stand-up stage, only this time the content was anything but sacred. Kinison was a rock ‘n roll comic for the excessive 1980s, a Sunset Strip favorite who appeared in music videos alongside some of the decade’s hair metal faithful. The cause of Kinison’s premature demise wasn’t his raucous reputation, however, but rather the negligence of a drunk driver. Sam and his wife were driving together on April 10th, 1992, when the pair was struck head-on. Kinison died at the scene.

Mitch Hedberg tragically didn’t leave behind a vast library of material for his fans, but what we do have is nothing short of fantastic. Hedberg’s material was surreal, strange, and idiosyncratic, a challenging style of stand-up that thrived on its low energy, slow burn. Mitch’s delivery was laconic, creating this stoner character that belied a unique and very funny perspective on life. Time Magazine even labeled him as “the next Seinfeld” around the time of his death in 2005. Tragically, Mitch Hedberg’s quirky genius was never fully actualized, as he died of a speedball overdose on March 30th, just a few days shy of April Fool’s.

Bill Hicks

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If there was ever a comedian who suffered no fools, it was Bill Hicks. The man’s wit was razor-sharp, and he didn’t care whether or not you were along for the ride with him on stage. Instead, Hicks’ skewering of society, religion, and politics scorched the earth with fury that was nothing short of apocalyptic. Bill challenged his audience at nearly every turn, delving into some deeply dark subject matter without fear. The comedian kept his pancreatic cancer diagnosis secret from all but close family and friends, and continued to work as long as he could until his death from the disease on February 26th, 1994.

Andy Kaufman

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It takes brass cojones to bomb on purpose, intentionally antagonize, and irritate a confuse an audience to the point where they may want to cause you physical harm. Andy Kaufman had some brass cojones. In fact, “fearless” doesn’t even begin to describe the avant-garde performance act that was Kaufman’s stage routine. Andy would speak in a foreign accent and act confused, dress up like an obnoxious lounge singer and even become involved with the world of professional wrestling. And he found time to star on one of the most beloved sitcoms of the seventies, “Taxi.” It was ultimately lung cancer that took Andy from us in 1984, but his bravery on stage went on to influence many other bold comedians in the years that followed.

Gilbert Gottfried

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Gilbert Gottfried was a comedian’s comedian, a highly respected and long-standing voice in the community that enjoyed a devoted fan base right up until his death in 2022. The initiation into Gottfried’s comedy, for many, was that iconic voice, but the man’s work was really so much more than that, at the end of the day. Gilbert was a fan of the game, a devourer of comedy and cinema who truly felt like “one of us.” At the same time, his resume was so impressive, racking up movie roles, voiceover work, and stand-up specials that have stood the test of time. The world of comedy is much colder without Gilbert’s humor to warm it up, and he’ll be deeply missed.

Bob Saget

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We collectively mourn the loss of our favorite celebrities every year, while simultaneously reminiscing about the good times they brought us throughout their lives. Bob Saget was one of those individuals, a comedian who was known for the disparate sides of his creative personality. On one hand, Saget’s stand-up was ridiculously filthy, the sort of X-rated fare that would never have a home at his other famous gig, starring as Danny Tanner in the sitcom “Full House.” Saget’s fans loved him for it, though, and were absolutely crushed when the comic died unexpectedly in his sleep after a fall on January 9th, 2022.

Bernie Mac was the man. Plain and simple. Sadly, it seems as if only the good die young, because this talented comedian was taken far too soon at the age of fifty. Mac was a versatile comedian, able to leap between hard-hitting conversational comedy and the more family-friendly fare for which he’d become known on his own hit series, “The Bernie Mac Show.” Mac also had a thriving film career, appearing in features like “Ocean's Eleven” and “Bad Santa,” but it would be the rare disease known as sarcoidosis, an inflammatory condition, that would negatively impact his health, and result in his death from pneumonia on August 9th, 2008.

No one had a comedic voice quite like Norm Macdonald. The talented writer, actor, and performer had this distinct tone to his voice that made him the ultimate deadpan comic. Norm was another comedian who was unafraid to intentionally bomb, caring more if the jokes pleased his own sense of humor, rather than attempting to placate any audience. Macdonald’s mental dictionary was impeccable and hilarious, while his stint as “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” will surely go down as the stuff of legend. Norm kept his 2012 leukemia diagnosis hidden from the public, but it would eventually go on to take his life on September 14, 2021. We’ll miss you, Norm.

The original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” from “Saturday Night Live” all have their fair share of fans, but perhaps none were as universally beloved as Gilda Radner. The comedienne possessed this down-to-earth likability and next-door friendliness that easily leapt from television screens and into the hearts of millions. She was unafraid to be goofy on the show, but had amazing comic timing, and a range that proved Gilda could do just about anything, if she set her mind to it. Radner may have passed from ovarian cancer in 1989, but her work in film, television, Broadway and music made her an industry legend that will live on forever.

The fact that there are so many “SNL” cast members on this list speaks volumes to the importance of “Saturday Night Live” as a proving ground for young comedians. Phil Hartman absolutely has to be one of the finest talents to ever grace the “SNL” stage, but he also had a career that found Hartman designing album covers and co-writing Hollywood screenplays for films like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” Phil also had that deep, warm, and immediately recognizable voice, one that made him a perfect fit for the sitcom “NewsRadio,” as well as voiceover work for “The Simpsons.” Hartman’s home life was troubled, however, and he was shot by his wife Brynn on May 28th, 1998, with the latter taking her own life shortly thereafter.

John Candy

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If you watched any comedy smash of the 1980s, then it’s highly likely that you were a big fan of John Candy. And why not? The man was insanely talented and supremely likable, with a warm presence that enhanced all of his projects. “Spaceballs,” “The Great Outdoors,” and “Uncle Buck” were all classic, formative examples of his work, while films like “The Silent Partner” proved that Candy could excel in thrilling, dramatic fare, as well. The man’s emotional health wasn’t always the greatest, however, as feelings of stress and anxiety allegedly followed Candy throughout his life. Binge-eating, obesity, and tobacco were also a problem, and John eventually suffered a fatal heart attack on March 4th, 1994.

Fans of Robin Williams were devastated when the comedian took his own life on August 11th, 2014. To this day, many still grieve the man who brought us so much joy, in so many ways. Williams was a legend of the stand-up world, a fantastic actor, and a voice artist who brought to life Disney’s iconic Genie of the Lamp in the animated feature, “Aladdin.” The final years of Williams life brought on mental and physical changes with which the comedian couldn’t cope, however, with an undiagnosed Lewy Body Disease contributing to the onset of dementia in Williams prior to his death. Although he may be gone, his work and life will never be forgotten.

Chris Farley

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The world of “SNL,” and comedy in general, still mourns the loss of Chris Farley, so many years later. Chris was a machine of unstoppable charisma, a larger-than-life presence that slayed the “SNL” stage, and easily transitioned into high-profile film roles in smash comedy hits. “Black Sheep” and “Tommy Boy'' were two of Farley’s biggest success stories, but his personal life was also one that affected everyone he met; there was simply no forgetting Chris Farley once he came into your life. Chris connected with friends and audience alike, which is why the hole left behind by his overdose on December 18th, 1997, will probably never be filled. And perhaps that’s the way it should be. But, at least we’ll always have the memories.