Comedian Richard Jeni Dead at 45

61. My whole family followed his career from the begining he was so funny and smart in his observations. I know his mom and to his credit he was a loving son and alway stayed close to her. He will be missed by all of Dyker Heights his hometown....

Posted at 4:12PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Denise Mara

62. He was very talented, very funny - I am shocked and terribly sad.to hear this - I always wonder what drives someone to do this - it is so final. My condolences to family and loved ones.

Posted at 4:36PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Suzy Zimet

63. TMZ, and everyone, he was 49, turning 50 this year.

Posted at 5:17PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Jenn

64. so sorry to hear about his passing. he was one of the few whose comedy made me laugh histerically, had tickets to se him at bergen pac april 1st. may he RIP!

Posted at 6:11PM on Mar 12th 2007 by doris Tracy

65. he's going to be missed, but can't anyone subtract? He was born in 1957 and died in 2007, that makes him 49-50 depending on Month of birth. NOT 45!!!!

Posted at 5:06PM on Mar 12th 2007 by paula

66. I saw him in concert recently at Westbury Music Fair . A women brought her 10 years old daughter to the show and Mr. Jeni showed great class by adjusting his act accordingly . He was a real class act , sad ending . God Bless him .

Posted at 5:36PM on Mar 12th 2007 by alex parathyras

67. he was a great comedian............his last special a great big stinking pile of me was wonderful

I will pray for you Richard................I heard he was depressed

Posted at 5:27PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Lucy

68.
I am so very saddened to hear about the death of this very dynamic man. I saw him twice live and was in hysterics with laughter......

My prayers are with his friends and family - and I hope that he has found peace. So heartbreaking to hear that with so much talent could come so much torment.

Posted at 6:09PM on Mar 12th 2007 by K

69. Tragic news. I consider myself a pretty "tough room," but he "killed" every time I saw him going all the way back to his first Showtime special circa 1990.

Wonderful talent. Terribly sad.

Posted at 6:23PM on Mar 12th 2007 by LThompson

70. I'm still in shock on hearing this SAD news, Richard you will be dearly missed! He was my favorite comedian for many years now, I always tried to catch his shows at the Comedy Castle here in Royal Oak, MI. One of the funniest routines I've ever seen was him telling about his dad as a coal miner story - absolutely hilarious!

My heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.

Posted at 6:50PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Jeff M

71. Rich Jeni was one of the best I ever saw. He was one of the top stand-up comics of our time.

He may well have been in a lot of pain and I'm sure we'll hear all about that later. If he wanted to leave the game behind and exit the stage early that's up to him, but I'll surely miss him.

A great guy who had a great career and made me laugh when I needed to the most. God bless you Richard.

Posted at 6:56PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Jeff

72. Richard was screamingly funny and so very smart. I heard a clip of his on the radio one day in LA and was instantly hooked. My husband and I saw him wherever he appeared - from the Comedy Store, Improv, Ventura Theatre - you name it. We have his dvd's and even some of his performances tivo'd. I wonder if he knew (or if it would have mattered)how very many people loved his work. I have heard what a gentleman he was; I wish I could have at least met him. Rest in peace, Platypus Man, you will be missed by so many of us. My most sincere condolences to your family and loving friends.

Posted at 8:57PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Sally

73. Why couldn't it have been Bill Mahr or Jon Stewart?
Why does it always have to be the talented ones?

Posted at 8:53PM on Mar 12th 2007 by JImmy

74. Richard was first "discovered" at the annual Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal - and from there went on to many performances on Johny Carson and the part in The Mask. He never forgot the festival and in 2003 performed his routine entitled "One Funny Bastard" an entire week at 3 shows a night every one sold out. We was a regular at the festival ever y few years and despite his huge success on the main comedy circuit, would come and perform and give his best every time. Word from the festival organizers was that 'Richie' was diagnosed with cancer last year and went through a series of treatments that left him weak and unable to keep up with his circuit. But once the treatments were over, he went back to his normal routine only to discover that the cancer was back and incurable. In January 2007, he donated a huge chunk of money to charity naming a string of friends, mentors and people that helped him along the way as co-ops on the donation (but it was all his money). It is assumed that the devastating news of terminal cancer was too much and after seeing close family members going through it, he couldn't bare to be the burden on his family and girlfriend and decided to end it all. So sad.

Posted at 9:28PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Fan in Montreal

75. So sad and such A great Man anybody who is anybody is not smileing now!! oh Richard we knew ye so little. RIP my friend.

Posted at 10:24PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Alan