WEST HOLLYWOOD, California (AP) -- 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.
Jeni died at a nearby hospital
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
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.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
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wow, this is really sad news. I am a big fan of stand-up and he is certainly a major name. It's a shame that he chose his path. There will be many sad fans.
I saw his HBO special....one night...way funny stuff.
I thought about it then....his observations were dead on....and you had to wonder if his laughter was just hiding all his pain.
It's sad he didn't ask for help....He will be missed in the comedy community..alot!
I head on the news today that they have not ruled his death as suicide as was first thought. That was all that was said. Guess we will hear in more detail later. He was a very talented man.
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Comedian Richard Jeni, who shot himself to death in March, had a history of mental illness and was hospitalized late last year for suicidal depression, according to a coroner's report obtained Thursday.
Jeni, 49, died at a hospital after shooting himself in the head at his Hollywood home on March 10, authorities have said.
His girlfriend heard him talking to himself about a week earlier, saying "just squeeze the trigger," according to a police report cited by the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
She was making breakfast downstairs when Jeni shot himself in the mouth with a .38-caliber Colt Detective Special handgun, according to the report.
Jeni, whose birth name was Richard John Colangelo, had not made any previous suicide attempts and left no note, the report said.
However, the report said Jeni was involuntarily hospitalized on December 28 after he showed up in a hospital emergency room with suicidal depression and indicated he would jump off of a building.
Days after his death, Jeni's family disclosed the comic was mentally ill and said in a statement that he had been diagnosed earlier this year with "severe clinical depression coupled with bouts of psychotic paranoia."
According to the coroner's report, Jeni's girlfriend said he had problems with "insomnia, paranoia and high blood pressure due to stresses of his work schedule."
He also had a history of schizophrenia and had taken several antidepressants and a sleeping aid, the coroner's report said.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
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I think comedians represent a vast demographic of seriously depressed, manic, and/or bi-polar disorders. I think many people will agree that comedic ability..especially at one's self is a common self-medication to their disorder. Acceptance, fame, success..may be all an out to cover intense self hatred.
Of course I am no medical expert..but have you ever thought about how readily they ridicule themselves..just a thought in favor of acceptance.
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It's hard to believe that somebody that made us laugh could be so depressed. I guess that goes to show that depression can effect anybody.
On the same note as JustMe, lots of these folks have a different outlook on life. They see it from a different perspective due to what they've been through, different wiring, whatever. I can definately relate to having a unique perspective on our world.
Its truly sad to see someone lose it all just because they feel alone. Kind of fits with the Benoit situation. So many friends and family left behind that would have helped had they known there was a problem. If people are impacted by your life or death, you are never really alone.
The early bird gets the worm...
but the second mouse gets the cheese.
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I think you can say the same things about a large proportion of "creative types" and performers -- writers, poets, musicians, actors, artists...or even athletes and other people who are successful in their fields. I think it's part of the conflict that drives them toward creativity and success.
Then again, how many of us are really "normal"?? No need to opennly discuss, more for self-reflection purposes.
And a good time to remind everyone that we need to pay attention to the mental health needs of ourselves and those we love. It can seem impossible to ask for help or to offer help --but it may be even worse if we don't make the effort.
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