Comic Greg Giraldo dies at 44
Giraldo died Wednesday at a New Jersey hospital, where he had been since Saturday night, after being discovered unconscious in a hotel room in New Brunswick, N.J. No cause of death was announced.
On the weekend, U.S. media reported Giraldo had been hospitalized after an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. The comedian was discovered in his hotel room after he failed to show up for a gig at a nearby club Saturday.
'He was just one of those guys that you loved to run into, because he was always a font of warmth and good humour and just smart as hell comedy' — Jon Stewart
"The tragic news of Greg's passing hits us very, very hard," U.S. cable network Comedy Central said in a statement Wednesday. "Greg has been a member of the Comedy Central family for years, injecting his energy and wicked sense of humour into countless projects.
"The comedy community lost a brother today. Our thoughts are with his family."
Born in New York in 1965, Giraldo was a graduate of both Columbia University and Harvard, where he earned a law degree. Though he briefly worked at a law firm, he decided to leave to pursue a career in comedy.
He earned accolades as his career developed and became a familiar face on Comedy Central for his appearances on a myriad of comedy shows and specials as well as for his ubiquity on the network's celebrity roasts. He was also a regular on the late-night talk shows of David Letterman and Conan O'Brien, and turned up on the radio programs of shock jocks Howard Stern and Opie and Anthony.
More recently, in addition to his regular stand-up gigs, he also participated as a judge on the seventh season of NBC reality competition Last Comic Standing and appeared on Jerry Seinfeld's The Marriage Ref.
Despite his reputation as a talented and well-regarded comic, peers often quipped that Giraldo was the comedian no one had heard of. He was also upfront about fighting alcohol abuse and discussed his return to sobriety as well as his occasional slip-up. Giraldo, who was divorced, had three children.
Fans, friends offer tributes
Tributes to the comic from friends and fans began circulating online Wednesday afternoon, as news of his death spread.
"When you were working the clubs … he was just one of those guys that you loved to run into, because he was always a font of warmth and good humour and just smart as hell comedy," Daily Show host Jon Stewart said of his colleague on Wednesday's episode.
Voicing his thoughts on Twitter, comedian Louis C.K. described Giraldo as "a good guy. The kind … you're always glad to see. Also a funny comic and person. He died today. Goodbye friend."
"Greg was one of the most talented comedians of our time," the producers of Last Comic Standing said in a statement.
"He was truly brilliant. His work will surely continue to influence and inspire us. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Governor's Comedy Club, the Levittown, N.Y. venue where Giraldo was to perform on Friday, has announced it will instead offer a tribute to the late comedian, with donations accepted for his family.