I?m in a state of shock and sadness.
Richard Jeni, one of my all-time favorite stand-up comedians, and probably one of the funniest voices I?ve ever heard, died today. According to reports, he shot himself in the head. He was only 45.
We hear of suicides all the time, and they?re always sad and tragic, but this one is really hitting me hard. As my friend Rich Henn quite accurately pointed out this morning?Jeni?s HBO special Platypus Man (from the early 1990s) is one of the best single I?m in a state of shock and sadness.
Richard Jeni, one of my all-time favorite stand-up comedians, and probably one of the funniest voices I?ve ever heard, died today. According to reports, he shot himself in the head. He was only 45.
We hear of suicides all the time, and they?re always sad and tragic, but this one is really hitting me hard. As my friend Rich Henn quite accurately pointed out this morning?Jeni?s HBO special Platypus Man (from the early 1990s) is one of the best single hour?s worth of comedy you?re ever likely to see.
We?ve been quoting those bits for 15 years, because they still make us laugh. Out loud. A lot. If you ever get the chance, watch it. It’ll have you in tears it’s just that funny.
I?m not sure why this tragedy, among all the tragedies, is hitting me quite as hard as it is. Maybe because I always thought Richard Jeni would get as big as George Carlin and Chris Rock, and never quite got there. Maybe it?s because I just connected with his humor?his voice?in a particular way, and now I?m reacting to the reality that that voice will never speak again.
I don?t know.
I guess it just reminds that me that?despite what we often tell ourselves or would like to think?there isn?t always more time to get to the things we want to do, or say the things we want to say to the people we want to say them to.
How much of our time do we waste with petty bickering and posturing? How many moments do we waste holding grudges? Expecting people to change? Being angry at life for not being what we want it to be, rather than accepting what it is?
This is a very sad day. And while I know that Richard Jeni?s death isn?t the least bit about me, I grieve over his death. I didn?t know the man personally, but I miss him?or what I thought of him?already.
My heart is heavy right now.
But I will celebrate his legacy. Just not today. Today I grieve.
Richard Jeni
1957 – 2007
