Comedian Patrice O’Neal has died at the age of 41.
O’Neal suffered from complications resulting from a stroke that he had in October that left him unable to speak. His long time battle with diabetes is believed to have led to the stroke.
O’Neal was a familiar face in New York’s stand up comedy scene, having begun the profession in the early 1990’s.
Click here to view a Grio slideshow of black comics who crack us up
He made memorable appearances on hit shows like, The Office, Chappelle’s Show, and Arrested Development, as well as films such as Scary Movie 4. His last public performance was at the Comedy Central roast of Charlie Sheen, which was taped in September.
Sheen himself tweeted and commented: “The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man today. Patrice had that rare light around him and inside of him…I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent.”
O’Neal’s personal website is temporarily unavailable, with a message that reads: “Out of our love and concern for Patrice and his family, we ask that you please respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
O’Neal was a regular on the Opie and Anthony satellite talk radio show. Opie Hughes posted on Twitter: “Yes, it’s true that our pal Patrice O’Neal has passed away.The funniest and best think I’ve ever known. Period. #devastated.”
O’Neal’s manager, Jonathan Brandstein, says the comedian died Tuesday morning. He said in a statement many people “have lost a close and loved friend” and “all of us have lost a true comic genius.”
