Comedian Richard Jeni Dead of Apparent Suicide - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-11-2007, 03:45 PM

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Richard Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds, was a regular on the "Tonight Show" and appeared in movies, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, police said Sunday.

Police found the 45-year-old comedian alive but gravely injured in a West Hollywood home when they responded to a call Saturday morning from Jeni's girlfriend, Los Angeles Police Officer Norma Eisenman said.

Eisenman said the caller told police: "My boyfriend shot himself in the face."

Jeni died at a nearby hospital.

Eisenman said suicide had not been officially confirmed and the investigation was continuing.

Jeni regularly toured the country with a standup act and had starred in several HBO comedy specials, most recently "A Big Steaming Pile of Me" during the 2005-06 season.

Another HBO special, "Platypus Man," won a Cable ACE award for best standup comedy special, and formed the basis for his UPN sitcom of the same name, which ran for one season.

Jeni's movie credits included "The Mask," in which he played Jim Carrey's best friend, "The Aristocrats," "National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off," and "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn."

He had guest appearances in the TV shows "Everybody Hates Chris," "Married: With Children," and updated versions of the game shows "Hollywood Squares" and "Match Game."

The Brooklyn-born comic first received national attention in 1990 with the Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City." Two years later, his "Crazy From the Heat" special attracted the highest ratings in Showtime's history.

Jeni became a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show" during Johnny Carson's reign and continued to appear after Jay Leno took over as host.

He also wrote comic material for the 2005 Academy Awards, which was hosted by his friend Chris Rock.

catlover79 · 03-11-2007, 03:46 PM

TJL · 03-11-2007, 03:48 PM

Wow! What a shame. He was a great comic.

rusyd · 03-11-2007, 04:34 PM

Yeah, I just read about that. What a shame.

80sTrivia · 03-11-2007, 06:15 PM

How very sad... I hate to hear of these things...

Brad Russ · 03-11-2007, 06:22 PM

Oh wow, that is very shocking!! I didn't know who he was by the name alone, but when I saw his photo, I immediately recognized him. He was a really funny guy!! My condolences definitely go out to his family. R.I.P. Mr. Jeni!!!

Janice · 03-11-2007, 06:25 PM

How tragic. I've had some dark days in my life, yet I can't imagine the despair and hopelessness that a person must be feeling when they take their own life. To think that's the only option, to want the pain to end so badly -- it must be awful.

Ireneparalegal · 03-11-2007, 06:31 PM

It is tragic that one feels they need to end it all. He was so young.

I wonder what they have found in his life that they are investigating it as a suicide?

AKA · 03-11-2007, 06:54 PM

What a waste.

Jrnygrl · 03-11-2007, 07:21 PM

I just heard the news!

He was playing at some club here in L.A. just last week. Just a sad, sad thing to hear.

RIP Richard.

Brian Damage · 03-11-2007, 09:54 PM

AKA · 03-11-2007, 10:43 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkeyw7xdb4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-O4mJKEEqQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhw8DFSGzvg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDiVpae3ixk

dawsongirl · 03-11-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I can't imagine the despair and hopelessness that a person must be feeling when they take their own life.

I can, but I can't believe he had no family or friends to talk to? People knew his name; he could have found something first. How awful to have your girlfriend find you.

Whatever the case, I hope he's at ease now.

AKA · 03-12-2007, 07:15 PM

There's a rumor going around that Richard was suffering from a terminal illness. Apparently, he chose to donate all his money to charity and kill himself.

He does look pretty sickly in that picture with Chris Rock.

dawsongirl · 03-12-2007, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA

There's a rumor going around that Richard was suffering from a terminal illness. Apparently, he chose to donate all his money to charity and kill himself.

He does look pretty sickly in that picture with Chris Rock.

Hmm...you may be on to something there. He looks pale and sullen.

03-11-2007, 03:45 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Comedian Richard Jeni Dead of Apparent Suicide WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Richard Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds, was a regular on the "Tonight Show" and appeared in movies, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, police said Sunday. Police found the 45-year-old comedian alive but gravely injured in a West Hollywood home when they responded to a call Saturday morning from Jeni's girlfriend, Los Angeles Police Officer Norma Eisenman said. Eisenman said the caller told police: "My boyfriend shot himself in the face." Jeni died at a nearby hospital. Eisenman said suicide had not been officially confirmed and the investigation was continuing. Jeni regularly toured the country with a standup act and had starred in several HBO comedy specials, most recently "A Big Steaming Pile of Me" during the 2005-06 season. Another HBO special, "Platypus Man," won a Cable ACE award for best standup comedy special, and formed the basis for his UPN sitcom of the same name, which ran for one season. Jeni's movie credits included "The Mask," in which he played Jim Carrey's best friend, "The Aristocrats," "National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off," and "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn." He had guest appearances in the TV shows "Everybody Hates Chris," "Married: With Children," and updated versions of the game shows "Hollywood Squares" and "Match Game." The Brooklyn-born comic first received national attention in 1990 with the Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City." Two years later, his "Crazy From the Heat" special attracted the highest ratings in Showtime's history. Jeni became a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show" during Johnny Carson's reign and continued to appear after Jay Leno took over as host. He also wrote comic material for the 2005 Academy Awards, which was hosted by his friend Chris Rock.
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03-11-2007, 03:46 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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03-11-2007, 03:48 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Wow! What a shame. He was a great comic.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

03-11-2007, 06:15 PM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	How very sad... I hate to hear of these things...
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03-11-2007, 06:22 PM	#6
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	Oh wow, that is very shocking!! I didn't know who he was by the name alone, but when I saw his photo, I immediately recognized him. He was a really funny guy!! My condolences definitely go out to his family. R.I.P. Mr. Jeni!!!
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

03-11-2007, 04:34 PM	#4
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	Yeah, I just read about that. What a shame.

03-11-2007, 06:25 PM	#7
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,389	Rest In Peace Richard Deni How tragic. I've had some dark days in my life, yet I can't imagine the despair and hopelessness that a person must be feeling when they take their own life. To think that's the only option, to want the pain to end so badly -- it must be awful.

03-11-2007, 06:31 PM	#8
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	It is tragic that one feels they need to end it all. He was so young. I wonder what they have found in his life that they are investigating it as a suicide?
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03-11-2007, 06:54 PM	#9
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	What a waste.

03-11-2007, 07:21 PM	#10
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	I just heard the news! He was playing at some club here in L.A. just last week. Just a sad, sad thing to hear. RIP Richard.

03-11-2007, 09:54 PM	#11
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Attached Images
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03-11-2007, 10:43 PM	#12
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkeyw7xdb4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-O4mJKEEqQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhw8DFSGzvg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDiVpae3ixk

03-12-2007, 07:15 PM	#14
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	There's a rumor going around that Richard was suffering from a terminal illness. Apparently, he chose to donate all his money to charity and kill himself. He does look pretty sickly in that picture with Chris Rock. Attached Images