Posted on 03/11/2007 9:28:15 AM PDT by Borges
Comedian Richard Jeni is dead from an apparent suicide. Sources tell Extra Jeni was in his West Hollywood, CA apartment. He had been scheduled to perform at the Chicago Improv tonight but cancelled several weeks ago.
Raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York, Richard Jeni first received recognition through a series of Showtime stand-up specials and frequent appearances on The Tonight Show. Top executives at HBO noticed Jeni's talent, and he was soon picked up for his first appearance on the coveted HBO Comedy Hour in 1992, entitled Richard Jeni: Platypus Man. The show was very well received, and Jeni would return for 2 more shows, and go on to receive a CableACE Award for one of his HBO specials. Jeni would also star on the short-lived UPN sitcom Platypus Man, and appear in the Jim Carrey film The Mask. He also has starred in commercial campaigns for Certs, Arby's, and won a CLIO Award for his work as a writer/performer in a campaign for the Milk Association. [1]
Jeni's website biography claims that he has appeared more on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno than any other stand-up comedian, dating back to when the Tonight Show was hosted by Johnny Carson.
In 2004, Jeni was named number 57 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest standups of all time. Jeni is a graduate of Hunter College, where he majored in political science.
Never heard of him. Regardless, RIP, Richard.
He was Jim Carrey's friend in The Mask.
Me neither. I guess I have to get out more.
Particularly loved this joke he did: "You know that stuff, 'I can't believe it's not butter'? What if they put something like foot ointment in there? Then you taste it and go 'Hey! This isn't butter!' And they'll come back and say 'Hey, we never said it was."
How sad. My sympathes to his family and friends.
Never expected suicide from Jeni..guess one can never tell. Really cleverly funny guy and there's not very many left.. Rip Mr. Jeni..thanks for the laughs.
I never heard of him either but my heart aches for people that get to such a dark place in their lives they feel the only way out is suicide....so sad
Couldn't handle the time change?
In all seriousness, sad news.
Years ago... I thought he'd be the next Steve Martin. The guy had some good stuff and cracked me up. Then he seemed to drop out of sight... almost like quality, stand-up comedy did.
how awful. I saw his HBO special; he was hilarious.
RIP.
Cacique, do you think they will name a street after him in Bensonhurst, much like they did for Vincent Gardenia?
Dang!!!!!! He was a major talent-- I have seen him live, and I laughed so hard my stomach hurt the next day. Here are some of his jokes from a recent show (***WARNING: NSFW LANGUAGE***):
http://imdb.com/title/tt0448100/quotes
Goodbye funnyman-- the comedy world is a lot less now that you're gone.
I saw his HBO stuff and much of it was very very funny. Never knew he was depressed...he will be missed.
I heard Billy Bartie commited sucide last week
Jumped of a curb
Rip Richard Jeni
Being a big fan of stand-up, I was quite familiar with Jeni. Very funny stuff. I agree, the quality of stand-up has gone way down hill. Witness Dane Cook.
A little more detail here---
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml
"Never expected suicide from Jeni..guess one can never tell. Really cleverly funny guy and there's not very many left.. Rip Mr. Jeni..thanks for the laughs."
Funny guy. Condolences to the family.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.