O.T. Dang, Comedian Richard Jeni dies in apparent suicide

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"I like ketchup. It's like tomato wine."
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Comedian Jeni dies in apparent suicide

By ANA BEATRIZ CHOLO
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

Actor and comedian Chris Rock, right, poses with one of his writers Richard Jeni in this 2005 file photo, at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds and was a regular on the "Tonight Show," died from a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, police said Sunday, March 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

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."

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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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R.i.p.

Sad News!

I remember Jeni,as one of the better/cleaner comics,liked him for that.
Saw him live a couple of times at Caesers A.C., good shows.
and of'course the TV series " the Platypus Man",which was OK.

I just can't Imagine what possesed a good person,like Jeni,to take his life ?

the demons must've been that bad.


I always thought he was a good comic , and work couldn't be a problem.

R.I.P. Mr. Jeni .... whatever it was that was doing this to you
can't hurt you anymore!


the Shoeman
 

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jeni.jpg
 

"I like ketchup. It's like tomato wine."
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He had a couple of pretty good stand up shows on cable and like BigAl said, he worked pretty clean. Too bad.

:sad3:
 

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Just watched A Big Steaming Pile of Me a month ago ... about the tenth time I've watched it since it came on. Sad to hear this.


Phaedrus
 

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