Kevin Barnett, Comedian and Co-Creator of ‘Rel,’ Dies

Comedian Kevin Barnett, who co-created the Fox series Rel with Lil Rel Howery and Josh Rabinowitz, has died.

UTA, Barnett’s talent agency, confirmed the news Tuesday on Twitter: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and client Kevin Barnett. He was an incredible talent and a wonderful person. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. We will miss him.”

Ben Kissel, who hosted the podcast Round Table of Gentlemen with Barnett, remembered the comic on Twitter. “Dear Last Podcast family,” Kissel wrote. “It’s with a heavy heart we inform you of the passing of Kevin Barnett. The joy he brought to our lives is the greatest gift we have ever received. Remind your friends you love them because you never know when you’re [sic] see them again. We love you KB.”

Comedy Central also remembered Barnett, tweeting, “Kevin Barnett was an incredible comedian and writer, contributing to Broad City, the stand-up community and beyond. He’ll be greatly missed.”

Howery took to Instagram to remember Barnett. “I was trying to figure out what to say but I can’t I’m truly heartbroken by this and just really hurt as the hours pass,” he wrote. A photo of Barnett, which included text that announced his death, accompanied the caption.

“So gifted and so dope and a true friend!!!!” continued Howery in the post. “I don’t know what else to say this is crazy to me!!!!”

 

 

 

 

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I was trying to figure out what to say but I can’t I’m truly heartbroken by this and just really hurt as the hours pass… So gifted and so dope and a true friend!!!! I don’t know what else to say this is crazy to me!!!!

A post shared by Lil Rel Howery (@comedianlilrel) on Jan 22, 2019 at 5:21pm PST

In a separate post, Howery shared his “favorite pic” with Barnett. The photo featured the two in suits next to an old car. “In all honesty this dude was brilliant and was a very hard worker… I’m thankful for him and Josh always putting in the extra hours to make sure every script was on point… Kevin was somebody I would always give shit to because it was fun and funny plus he had the same crazy sense of humor,” he wrote. “Over the years we would have some hysterical dope convos and exchange crazy stories… I can’t stop crying on this plane it’s really starting to hit me that he is actually gone.”

He then praised Barnett for his professional achievements. “At 32 he accomplished so much in this business and was respected by many,” he continued. “Rest In Peace my brother and my friend… Thank you for the last 6 years of helping make my dreams come true man.”

 

 

 

 

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This is my favorite pic of me and @fatboybarnett but in all honesty this dude was brilliant and was a very hard worker… I’m thankful for him and Josh always putting in the extra hours to make sure every script was on point… Kevin was somebody I would always give shit to because it was fun and funny plus he had the same crazy sense of humor… Over the years we would have some hysterical dope convos and exchange crazy stories… I can’t stop crying on this plane it’s really starting to hit me that he is actually gone… At 32 he accomplished so much in this business and was respected by many… Rest In Peace my brother and my friend… Thank you for the last 6 years of helping make my dreams come true man… #FOTP4Life

A post shared by Lil Rel Howery (@comedianlilrel) on Jan 23, 2019 at 4:36am PST

At the Tuesday night premiere for Broad City‘s final season in New York, Comedy Central chief Kent Alterman and Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer opened the event by paying tribute to Barnett, vowing to continue to celebrate his comedy.

A cause of death is unknown. Barnett was 32.

Barnett was a stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He appeared on episodes of Rel and The Carmichael Show (serving as a writer on both, as well), in addition to having a small role in the 2014 film Dumb and Dumber To.

As a writer, he also had three projects in production.

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Jan. 23, 9:15 a.m. This story has been updated to include Lil Rel Howery remembering Barnett on Instagram.