Comedy lost a mighty fine talent yesterday. Patrice O’Neal died in a New York area hospital, just over a month after suffering a massive stroke. He was 41.
A veteran stand-up comedian and a fixture on the New York comedy scene, O’Neal appeared in numerous television shows, including The Office and Arrested Development. He was also a frequent guest on the Opie and Anthony satellite radio show, and made his final television appearance on The Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen.
Whether you were a fan of O’Neal’s work like myself, or just vaguely familiar with his talent, it’s hard to dispute his talent. Able to alienate audiences and celebrities alike with his observational humor, the man was a true giant of comedy, and he will be sorely missed.
In honor of his passing, I’ve collected some of my favorite highlights. Enjoy.