Stupid People Are Breeding, Funny People Are Dying (Patrice O' Neal)

From the AP:

O’Neal’s manager, Jonathan Brandstein, said he died in a New York-area hospital today.

“Many of us have lost a close and loved friend; all of us have lost a true comic genius,” Brandstein said.

In a tweet today, Sheen said: “The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man.

“Patrice had that rare ‘light’ around him and inside of him. I only knew him for the few days leading up to the Roast. Yet I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent. My tears today are for the tremendous loss to his true friends and loving family,” he added.

Other entertainers also mourned O’Neal on Twitter.

“RIP Patrice O’Neal. You made us laugh til we cried,” comedian Sarah Silverman said.

Actor Jay Mohr said, “Just heard. Goodnight brother. Damn. Just ridiculous. Terrible. Beyond sad.”

O’Neal had specials on US networks Showtime and HBO and was the host of Web Junk 20 on VH1. He appeared in numerous television shows including Arrested Development, Chappelle’s Show and The Office.

Random Dan –  Another comedian passes way before their time.  Almost two months ago to the day, Greg Giraldo died of an overdose.  Whatever the reason for these comedians, it’s usually the life they lived that caused the outcomes.  But you have to think that being a comedian for a ‘career’ has to be tough on the body.  Traveling, late night shows, early morning radio.  I’m sure at every one of their shows there is  someone in attendance that would like to buy them a drink, smoke them out, or give them a bj for their troubles.  

I’ve done stand up a few times and I have always loved the idea of being a full time comic.  It just sounds like the perfect life.  Traveling, making people laugh, partying, etc.  I can see how these guys get caught up in the whole situation.  

Hopefully Patrice is the last of these guys to go young but we know that’s not gonna’ happen.  I just hope this never happens to any of my comedian friends.  

I know if I ever got into comedy this would sure as hell happen to me.