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R.I.P. Harris Wittels, 1984-2015

February 20, 2015

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(via TMZ)

Just a few hours ago, law enforcement officials pronounced comedian, writer, and actor Harris Wittels deceased. Early reports point to a drug overdose as the cause of death.

Harris was prolific in his comedy with anything from Humblebrag, Parks and Recreation, The Sarah Silverman Program, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Eastbound and Down, the band Don’t Stop or We’ll Die (who was scheduled to play at the end of this month at UCB Sunset), and so much more all have his name proudly attached to them.

His passing is incredibly sudden as Wittels performed last night at The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail as well as many of the shows that he wrote for still being active and now is no longer with us.

May he rest in peace and may all of us remember him and his extensive comedic works.

R.I.P. Gary Owens, 1936-2015

February 14, 2015

blue falcon, gary owens, laugh-in, rip, rowan & martin, space ghost

It’s rare that a single voice can span several generations and comedic sensibilities over 50 years. Yet, Gary Owens and his golden pipes found their way into both eras of Space Ghost, Blue Falcon in Dynomutt: Dog Wonder/Dexter Laboratory/Johnny Bravo, the announcer of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, various characters on The Ren & Stimpy Show, and so much more.

May Owens rest in peace and live on in the nostalgia of so many of that enjoyed cartoons and the Laugh-In over the last half century.

R.I.P. Taylor Negron, 1957-2014

January 11, 2015

rip, taylor negron

Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Punchline, Angels in the Outfield, The Ben Stiller Show, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and so much more saw the talents of Taylor Negron, who has also been a noteworthy stand-up comedian and actor for decades here in LA around the world, over the 57 years of his life.

Yesterday, Negron passed away from a long battle of cancer (via Deadline). Our sympathies go out to Negron’s family and friends.

One way you can pay your respects is by watching some of Taylor’s comedy and going down a YouTube rabbit hole here.

R.I.P. Mike Nichols, 1931-2014

November 20, 2014

mike nichols, nichols and may, rip

He’s half of the legendary comedy duo of Nichols and May, director of The Graduate, a rare EGOT winner, and so much more that you probably know or have just seen mentioned today. He, being Mike Nichols, and his body of work spanned throughout comedy and drama and everything in between effortlessly.

We posted this Nichols and May sketch when Elaine May was Awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2012, but we’re posting it again for you to remember the great Mike Nichols who passed away yesterday.

R.I.P. Jan Hooks, 1957-2014

October 9, 2014

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Comedic actress Jan Hooks had quite the career which include such distinguished and varied credits as SNL, The Simpsons, 3rd Rock From The Sun, 30 Rock, and many more.

Sadly, it was announced just a few hours ago that Hooks has passed away at the age of 57. We’ll save you the trouble and link you right to a YouTube search of Jan Hooks right here.

R.I.P. Joan Rivers, 1933-2014

September 4, 2014

joan rivers, rip

Only a few hours ago, Joan Rivers, after being hospitalized and put into a medically induced coma, has passed away at the age of 81. She leaves a unbelievably long whirlwind of a career in comedy where Joan fiercely fought and clawed for everything she’s gotten on her terms as you can clearly see in the documentary Piece of Work.

While people are posting clips of her stand up, interviews, etc. today in remembrance, please know, no matter how ribald, risqué, controversial, or “blue” Joan has gotten, she has always went for the joke regardless of how far she had to take it and made herself a legend for that.

David Letterman Pays Tribute to Robin Williams on The Late Show

August 19, 2014

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Throughout the storied history of David Letterman’s comedy career, Robin Williams has been around for most of it, all the way from The Comedy Store to appearing dozens of times on The Late Show and Letterman appearing on Mork and Mindy.

With Williams passing, Letterman, like all the other late night talk shows, did his own personal, heartfelt tribute to Robin. Watch it here.

R.I.P. SNL Announcer Don Pardo, 1918-2014

August 19, 2014

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Yesterday, the one and only announced of Saturday Night Live, Don Pardo, passed away at the age of 96.

It really won’t be the same on SNL when we won’t hear the magnificent voice of Pardo calling out the names for an episode.

Here are SNL cast members offering their thoughts on his passing.

Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers Pay Tribute to Robin Williams

August 13, 2014

conan, conan o'brien, jimmy fallon, johnny carson, late night, rip, robin williams, seth meyers, tonight show

With the tragic passing of Robin Williams this week, the world of late night would feel remiss if they didn’t collectively tip their hats to Williams.

Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers all put together a tribute on their respective shows featuring memorable past appearances of Williams. If you’re wondering why Letterman, Kimmel, The Daily Show, etc. aren’t doing the same, they’re simply not taping new episodes this week.

R.I.P. Robin Williams 1951-2014

August 12, 2014

rip, robin williams

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

As of this afternoon, comedian and actor Robin Williams passed away in his home in Tiburon, CA at the age of 63. The cause of death is currently under investigation, but suicide is suspected.

This news unfortunately comes just as Williams was starting to get back into performing stand up live, often dropping into intimate shows like Meltdown or innovative shows like Set List.

RIP John Pinette and Mickey Rooney

john pinette, mickey rooney, mickey rourke, rip

Over this weekend, comedian John Pinette and legendary actor Mickey Rooney passed away. In the 143 years between them, they brought many laughs to several different generations on stage, on television, in movies, and more.

Hopefully their memory will live on beyond whatever Twitter jokes/faux pas people are making, especially the tweets where people are mistaking Rooney for Mickey Rourke.

RIP David Brenner

david brenner, johnny carson, rip, tonight show

RIP David Brenner

You might have heard that comedian David Brenner, noted for his record number of appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and even guest hosting from time to time (only a select few including David Steinberg can say that), just passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 78. May his soul rest in peace after a long wondrous comedy career.

Even after his passing, reading the first “statement” on his website is pretty great. Read it at the link.

The Colbert Report Signs Off with Remembering Harold Ramis

February 25, 2014

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As the news of Harold Ramis passing away has affected the comedy world at large, Stephen Colbert took a moment during last night’s Colbert Report to sincerely (for the most part) salute Ramis.

Watch the clip here.

R.I.P. Harold Ramis

February 24, 2014

harold ramis, rip

R.I.P. Harold Ramis

Hopefully, you’ve heard of Groundhog Day, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, and so on with an illustrious career of storied comedy writer/actor/filmmaker and now late Harold Ramis.

Instead of letting this ruin Monday, let’s remember Ramis, who just passed away at 69, fondly with re-watching all of his classics that he was involved in one way or another.

There Will Be a Sid Caesar Tribute with Mel Brooks on Conan

February 14, 2014

conan o'brien, mel brooks, rip, sid caesar, tribute

There Will Be a Sid Caesar Tribute with Mel Brooks on Conan

Conan O’Brien had a few sentimental words on the passing of comedy legend Sid Caesar this week, but is now going one step further will a full on tribute with another comedy legend, Mel Brooks scheduled for next week.

Make sure not to miss this.

Comedy Legend Sid Caesar Passed Away, Conan O’Brien Gives Tribute

February 13, 2014

conan, rip, sid caesar, tribute

Comedy legend Sid Caesar, whose name you might have been brought on so many comedy podcasts or you might be a thorough enough of a comedy nerd to know in 2014 or you might have actually seen in your youth, has passed away.

Conan O’Brien even took some time on Conan to pay tribute to Sid Caesar, citing him as an inspiration to do comedy.

So, if you’re unfamiliar, you should go look up Sid Caesar now.