Comedian Richard Jeni Dead at 49
Police are still investigating the matter, but it appears as if comedian Richard Jeni took his own life this past weekend. His girlfriend called police Saturday morning saying “My boyfriend shot himself in the face.” He was barely alive when the paramedics arrived at the West Hollywood home and dead later at a nearby hospital. An autopsy is being performed today.
Jeni appeared regularly on the “Tonight Show” and had been in episodes of “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Married with Children.” The comedian had also appeared on “Hollywood Squares” and “Match Game.” He was in movies such as The Mask with Jim Carrey, National Lampoon’s Dad’s Week Off, and An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn.
His true talent was comedy, with friends saying many younger comedians looked up to him. He first came to the public’s attention with his 1990 Showtime special “Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City.” His next Showtime special “Crazy From the Heat” garnered the highest ratings in Showtime’s history. His HBO special “Platypus Man” won the Cable ACE award for best stand up comedy special in 1992. In 1993, he won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic.
Jeni was a close friend of fellow comedian Chris Rock, even writing material for Rock’s 2005 stint as the Academy Award show host.
“We’ve just lost the nicest guy in rock and roll.”
Those are the words found on the band Boston’s web site after they learned of the death of their long time lead singer, Brad Delp. Delp, 55, was found dead at his home last Friday by his fiance. There is no reason to suspect foul play, but no cause of death has been issued yet.
Delp was at the helm the highly successful band since its inception. Its 1976 debut album produced such hits as such hits as “More Than a Feeling” and “Peace of Mind.” That album sold more than 17 million copies.