[boop]

Is it just me or do comedians die really old, or young? Old: George Burns, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Phillis Diller (Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis still alive well into their 80s)

Young: Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce, Dennis Wolfberg

[boop]

Forgot Mitch Hedberg (young).

[Arkansas Toothpick]

Don’t forget Jonathan Winters...he is still alive and kicking.

I think your suggestion is possibly true—there is great power in laughter, and I can see how it could help keep a person going well into the 80s, 90s.

On the other hand, you have guys like Belushi and Farley who self-destructed and brought upon themselves their demise at an early age.

[oprahstheantichrist]

Mel Brooks, also.

[pogo101]

An additional “old” one is Rodney Dangerfield (82). Bob Newhart’s still cooking at 82.

An additional “young” one is Sam Kinison (38). Sam made me laugh so hard I wasn’t making any sound anymore ... but sometimes I felt guilty later! Also Andy Kaufman (35), but I never found his stand-up /hoax comedy funny.

It is an interesting observation. But I bet there are plenty of comedians who die at a normal-ish age, neither particularly old or young. Richard Pryor passed at 65, for example.

[Rebelbase]

John Belush.

John Candy made it well into middle age.

[GreenHornet]

Is it just me or do comedians die really old, or young? Old: George Burns, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Phillis Diller (Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis still alive well into their 80s)

Add Red Skelton (made it to 84) and Sid Ceasar (will celebrate his 90th birthday in a few weeks) to that list.