RIP Comedian Richard Jeni

[arcticwolf64]

WEST HOLLYWOOD, California (AP) -- 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.

[LLFHS]

One of my favorites. Good god.

[RRMB]

I saw him live on his "Platypus Man Tour", I have never laughed so hard in my life.

My favorite bits were "Ref's Midlife Crisis", "Bob The Belching Gourmet", and "Catholic Services." Funny, Funny shit.

[Thai Boxer 9901]

Holy shit! No fuckin way. He was one of my favorite comedians. I still love the HBO Special he did.

Wow...un-fuckin-real. Man that sucks big time. He seemed like such a happy guy and was funny as hell too.

RIP Richard Jeni

[MF5150]

I didn't recognize the name until i searched for his picture! I can't believe it. I remember first seeing him in The Mask when I was a kid.

RIP Rich

[sisca]

fuck , man. that really sucks. richard jeni was one of my favorite standups next to bill hicks. what a shame. RIP richard jeni.

hey sixstring: i cant believe its not butter!

[charlesresta]

What a shock...he was so good on STERN. Very funny down to Earth guy...wonder if it was murder?? Dammit this is so sad.

[vh_chick]

That is a bummer! We liked The Platypus Man as well. He was good.

[mistere]

Yeah. It will be interesting to see if anything develops from the investigation.
The first thing I thought when it mentioned the girlfriend was Phil Hartman.
That doesn't mean I think she's a witch, but we'll see.

And that Ref bit was great.

[JMJ]

christ

my dad called me at work and have me the news. jeni was a fav of my dad and myself. saw him live out here last year, thought i was gonna die from laughing. so tragic.

i'm really kinda bummed

rip richie. you'll be missed

[darthadv]

RIP

[Raldo]

I never cared for his act but I know a lot of people liked his work. RIP.

[jimmy812]

Wow, shit that sucks. To me, he was always like a 'reliable' comic. He wasn't near my favorites but I always tried to catch his stand-up specials and they were always good.
Very shocking news!

[sixstring]

fuck , man. that really sucks. richard jeni was one of my favorite standups next to bill hicks. what a shame. RIP richard jeni.

hey sixstring: i cant believe its not butter!

RIP, Richard... ...you will be missed. So sad...

[ZeoBandit]

RIP