RIP Richard Jeni [Archive] - RonFez.net Messageboard

legroommusic

03-10-2007, 09:15 PM

I Just heard about this on shecky magazine's website. It's a great loss in the entertainment community. He'll be missed.start the platypus man comments here.here's the link<a href="http://www.sheckymagazine.com/">http://www.sheckymagazine.com/</a>

PapaBear

03-10-2007, 09:20 PM

That sucks. I wonder what the medical problems were, that were bad enough to off himself.

Badinia

03-10-2007, 09:35 PM

It makes me sad to think about the situation he must have been in to choose to take his own life, but at least he did not have to suffer.  He will be missed in the "world" of "comedy".

Reephdweller

03-10-2007, 09:44 PM

If this is true, and he really did kill himself - then that's a real shame.RIP

PapaBear

03-10-2007, 09:45 PM

<a href="http://extratv.warnerbros.com/">Here's another souce</a>. Not much more info, but I guess that would confirm it.

legroommusic

03-10-2007, 10:32 PM

I'd say that he's only next to seinfeld when it comes to quintisential comedians. And he was a real hardworking  and humble dude.

Wallower

03-10-2007, 10:46 PM

Shit.

Justice4all

03-10-2007, 11:08 PM

This absolutely sucks!I think Plataypus Man was one of the greatest standup routines I have seen. I still remember alot of that like it was yesterday. I never knew how depressed he was. What a fucking shame.RIP Richard and thanks for the hours of laughter.

sr71blackbird

03-11-2007, 01:44 AM

Aw man.  I really liked the guy and his comedy.  This sucks!  Any word on what medical problem he had?  RIP

Snacks

03-11-2007, 04:50 AM

Justice4all wrote: This absolutely sucks!I think Plataypus Man was one of the greatest standup routines I have seen. I still remember alot of that like it was yesterday. I never knew how depressed he was. What a fucking shame.RIP Richard and thanks for the hours of laughter. How would you have known? Are you friends with him? Anyway it is sad he was a pretty funny comedian that never got his hsot. He had a couple of great HBO comedy specials. RIP

Don Stugots

03-11-2007, 04:51 AM

man that sucks.  Regina is a big fan of his stuff too.   i didnt even know he was from the same neighborhood as me.   Thoughts n prayers.

Reephdweller

03-11-2007, 05:14 AM

Here's a Post Chronicle story on this...<a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml </a> Richard Jeni Dead: Comedian Found Shot, Self Inflicted? By Jack Ryan Mar 10, 2007 <div class="KonaBody">Richard Jeni, one of Comedy Central's Top 100 <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml#" target="_top">Comedians</a> of All Time, is dead.  According to police, Jeni was found dead presumably from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Saturday, March 10, 2007.  A loaded gun was reportedly found next to his body.  His <a href="http://www.richardjeni.com/" target="_blank">website</a> has gone dark (except for a grayed-out logo) and the story is still developing.  More information will be made available when we hear it. The word being whispered -- among more than one party close to the deceased -- throughout the comedy grapevine is that Richard Jeni simply chose to end his life.  Jeni was in his West Hollywood, CA <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml#" target="_top">apartment</a>. He had reportedly been scheduled to perform at the <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml#" target="_top">Chicago</a> Improv last night, but cancelled several weeks ago. It is said that he chose to take his life because of a seemingly intractable <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml#" target="_top">medical condition</a>, the nature of which we are not privy to.  We could speculate, but out of respect for Richard and his family we will not.   Autopsy results are expected soon. We will offer further information as it becomes available. Richard Jeni was an American stand-up comedian.  He was raised in Bensonhurst, <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml#" target="_top"><span class="kLink" style="color: blue ! important; font-family: Verdana,Arial,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 14

Justice4all

03-11-2007, 05:18 AM

Snacks wrote: Justice4all wrote: This absolutely sucks!I think Plataypus Man was one of the greatest standup routines I have seen. I still remember alot of that like it was yesterday. I never knew how depressed he was. What a fucking shame.RIP Richard and thanks for the hours of laughter. How would you have known? Are you friends with him? Anyway it is sad he was a pretty funny comedian that never got his hsot. He had a couple of great HBO comedy specials. RIPDon't be a wise ass. When a public figure such as an actor or comedian has personal problems for any amount of time, it usually gets leaked out in one way or another to the general public. (Louie Anderson's homosexuality...richard prior's drug problem...ect). And considering how he never showed any signs of someone who was battling emotional turmoil (withdrawl from public appearences) it surprised me that he would do this.  Is that a much better explination for you?

Bulldogcakes

03-11-2007, 05:25 AM

Damn! That really sucks. Platypus Man was one of my all time favorite stand up shows. RIP Rich

TheMojoPin

03-11-2007, 06:04 AM

That's too bad.  I could never figure out why he couldn't make the "jump" that some comedians make into being bigger stars...he definitely was funnier than most and seemed to be able to act better than most other comedians, too.  What a shame.

Don Stugots

03-11-2007, 06:05 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: That's too bad. I could never figure out why he couldn't make the "jump" that some comedians make into being bigger stars...he definitely was funnier than most and seemed to be able to act better than most other comedians, too. What a shame. i agree.  yet any of the sitcoms he did always failed and had poor writing.  as if the parts werent written for him.   he will be missed.

TheMojoPin

03-11-2007, 07:26 AM

Don Stugots wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: That's too bad. I could never figure out why he couldn't make the "jump" that some comedians make into being bigger stars...he definitely was funnier than most and seemed to be able to act better than most other comedians, too. What a shame.  i agree.  yet any of the sitcoms he did always failed and had poor writing.  as if the parts werent written for him.   he will be missed.   You didn't see him in many movies, either.  I always thought he could make the jump from comedian to being a decent supporting actor a la Kevin Pollack.

Snacks

03-11-2007, 07:52 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: Don Stugots wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: That's too bad. I could never figure out why he couldn't make the "jump" that some comedians make into being bigger stars...he definitely was funnier than most and seemed to be able to act better than most other comedians, too. What a shame.  i agree.  yet any of the sitcoms he did always failed and had poor writing.  as if the parts werent written for him.   he will be missed.   You didn't see him in many movies, either.  I always thought he could make the jump from comedian to being a decent supporting actor a la Kevin Pollack.exactly what I was thinking. Its sad b/c  he did have talent. I think that might have been why he was depressed (My opinion not fact and just my thought) I think what happens to celebs as they get older and work is hard to come by they go into depression and maybe this happened to him? I think I will have to go watch his first HBO special.

Crippler

03-11-2007, 07:58 AM

I think I will have to go watch his first HBO special. If you can find a copy of it, let me know.  It was great, but as I found out after originally reading this thread, it doesn't appear to be available anywhere.  Too bad, in today's comedy scene it probably would have been a 1,000,000+ selling DVD.

Snacks

03-11-2007, 08:06 AM

Crippler wrote: I think I will have to go watch his first HBO special. If you can find a copy of it, let me know.  It was great, but as I found out after originally reading this thread, it doesn't appear to be available anywhere.  Too bad, in today's comedy scene it probably would have been a 1,000,000+ selling DVD.Fucker. I was just going to stop by your house to pick it up. I figured you had it on DVD and I guess your telling me you dont???Fucker!!!

This message was edited by Snacks on 3-11-07 @ 12:11 PM

cougarjake13

03-11-2007, 09:21 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: Don Stugots wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: That's too bad. I could never figure out why he couldn't make the "jump" that some comedians make into being bigger stars...he definitely was funnier than most and seemed to be able to act better than most other comedians, too. What a shame.  i agree.  yet any of the sitcoms he did always failed and had poor writing.  as if the parts werent written for him.   he will be missed.   You didn't see him in many movies, either.  I always thought he could make the jump from comedian to being a decent supporting actor a la Kevin Pollack.loved platypus mani always confused him with kevin pollack, maybe pollack just beat him to the fame and they cast him instead

Leticia

03-11-2007, 11:42 AM

Aw man. He was awesome :(

Kevin

03-11-2007, 11:47 AM

Damn... Rip

lleeder

03-11-2007, 12:19 PM

Didn't O&A fuck with him one time? Maybe I'm getting him confused with someone else.

willie

03-11-2007, 12:25 PM

lleeder wrote: Didn't O&A fuck with him one time? Maybe I'm getting him confused with someone else. or maybe you are getting him confused with everyone else

cougarjake13

03-11-2007, 02:02 PM

willie wrote: lleeder wrote: Didn't O&A fuck with him one time? Maybe I'm getting him confused with someone else.  or maybe you are getting him confused with everyone else no i m vaguely remembering them fucking with himhe was supposed to come on the show and bailed or something like that in the wnew days

Bossanova

03-11-2007, 02:04 PM

They made him do a phoner from the green room didnt they.  None of them liked him, and they wanted to fuck with him. 

cougarjake13

03-11-2007, 02:08 PM

Bossanova wrote: They made him do a phoner from the green room didnt they.  None of them liked him, and they wanted to fuck with him.  yeh that kinda sounds right, they definitely did that to someone

Bulldogcakes

03-11-2007, 02:13 PM

lleeder wrote: Didn't O&A fuck with him one time? Maybe I'm getting him confused with someone else. Yeah, I think they were in studio with Jay Mohr and they gave him a hard time.

sailor

03-11-2007, 02:13 PM

i'm honestly not familiar with his work.  still freakin' sad to hear this.

torker

03-11-2007, 02:19 PM

<img src="http://www.inn-entertainment.com/artists/Richard_Jeni/Richard_Jeni_th.jpg" border="0" width="170" height="170" />RIP

Bossanova

03-11-2007, 02:24 PM

O&A made him go on the air from the lobby via phone.  They shit all over him.I hope this link works <a href="http://afro202.com/archives/oa-bits/richard-jeni-visits.mp3">http://afro202.com/archives/oa-bits/richard-jeni-visits.mp3</a>

Bossanova

03-11-2007, 02:29 PM

Listening to that bit again, it was good to hear Stinky and Rick.

RoseBlood

03-11-2007, 02:36 PM

Very sad news, I loved his comedy routines.Sorry to see him go..

Captain Rooster

03-11-2007, 04:03 PM

I always wish a person could just reach out at that moment and seek help.

sr71blackbird

03-11-2007, 04:05 PM

Wasnt he in The Mask?

cougarjake13

03-11-2007, 04:06 PM

sr71blackbird wrote: Wasnt he in The Mask? yep he was

Ritalin

03-11-2007, 04:32 PM

Man, horrible news. Just so sad.<>I opened for Jeni for a week in Chicago, oh 14 years ago or so, and he was working out the Platypus man material. He was one of the best live comics I ever saw. His writing was different, smart and pitch perfect. He was a real pro, someone you had to see live to appreciate. I watched every set he did that week, watched him change a word or a line, and saw how hard yet effortlessly he worked with an audience. I made it a point to be around as much as I could between shows, and he was very cool and accomodating to a young comic. <>A good man and a real talent. He will be missed.

thepaulo

03-11-2007, 04:43 PM

Jeni's in one of the ron and ron videos intereacting with some strippers....i met him...super nice

Enabler

03-11-2007, 05:07 PM

i remember Jeni most from the old show "comic strip live" that would come on on fox after snl on sat nights. He really was a strong and "quintessential" white, male, clean stand up. I totally think of Kevin Polak when I think of Jeni. No man can judge anothers suicide. RIP Jeni.

FUNKMAN

03-11-2007, 05:08 PM

sorry to hear it, i enjoyed his work!

Don Stugots

03-11-2007, 05:46 PM

Ritalin wrote: Man, horrible news. Just so sad.<>I opened for Jeni for a week in Chicago, oh 14 years ago or so, and he was working out the Platypus man material. He was one of the best live comics I ever saw. His writing was different, smart and pitch perfect. He was a real pro, someone you had to see live to appreciate. I watched every set he did that week, watched him change a word or a line, and saw how hard yet effortlessly he worked with an audience. I made it a point to be around as much as I could between shows, and he was very cool and accomodating to a young comic. <>A good man and a real talent. He will be missed.  rit, that is a great story.  thanks for sharing.

King Hippos Bandaid

03-11-2007, 06:14 PM

RIPPlatypuss Man

JustJon

03-11-2007, 06:22 PM

Don Stugots wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: That's too bad. I could never figure out why he couldn't make the "jump" that some comedians make into being bigger stars...he definitely was funnier than most and seemed to be able to act better than most other comedians, too. What a shame. i agree. yet any of the sitcoms he did always failed and had poor writing. as if the parts werent written for him. he will be missed.  weren't written for him?  like the Platypus Man sitcom?

Tenbatsuzen

03-11-2007, 07:07 PM

JustJon wrote: Don Stugots wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: That's too bad. I could never figure out why he couldn't make the "jump" that some comedians make into being bigger stars...he definitely was funnier than most and seemed to be able to act better than most other comedians, too. What a shame. i agree. yet any of the sitcoms he did always failed and had poor writing. as if the parts werent written for him. he will be missed. weren't written for him? like the Platypus Man sitcom?  Qualifier -it was on the UPN when it was just starting out.

Tenbatsuzen

03-11-2007, 07:11 PM

For us to to speculate why his career didn't "take off" in acting, perhaps it's just because maybe he was happy solely doing standup. You can hear in Norton's voice how bitter he is about how Lucky Louie ended, and how the two-faced nature of the business kind of turned him off to doing a TV series again.  I'm not saying that's how Norton truly feels, just an observation on my part. He wasn't hurting for work, obviously, if he was getting headlining gigs at the Improv.  He didn't degenerate into one of these nameless touring comedians. Perhaps he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and didn't want to die slowly.

TheMojoPin

03-11-2007, 07:19 PM

Tenbatsuzen wrote: For us to to speculate why his career didn't "take off" in acting, perhaps it's just because maybe he was happy solely doing standup. You can hear in Norton's voice how bitter he is about how Lucky Louie ended, and how the two-faced nature of the business kind of turned him off to doing a TV series again.  I'm not saying that's how Norton truly feels, just an observation on my part. He wasn't hurting for work, obviously, if he was getting headlining gigs at the Improv.  He didn't degenerate into one of these nameless touring comedians. Perhaps he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and didn't want to die slowly. I've seen it mentioned in a few places that he was supposedly diagnosed with something REALLY bad recently, but keep in mind that that vague info is per the interwebs.

PapaBear

03-11-2007, 07:28 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: Tenbatsuzen wrote: For us to to speculate why his career didn't "take off" in acting, perhaps it's just because maybe he was happy solely doing standup. You can hear in Norton's voice how bitter he is about how Lucky Louie ended, and how the two-faced nature of the business kind of turned him off to doing a TV series again.  I'm not saying that's how Norton truly feels, just an observation on my part. He wasn't hurting for work, obviously, if he was getting headlining gigs at the Improv.  He didn't degenerate into one of these nameless touring comedians. Perhaps he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and didn't want to die slowly. I've seen it mentioned in a few places that he was supposedly diagnosed with something REALLY bad recently, but keep in mind that that vague info is per the interwebs.For example... what was in the link that Reefdweller posted.It is said that he chose to take his life because of a seemingly intractable <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml#" target="_top">medical condition</a>, the nature of which we are not privy to.  We could speculate, but out of respect for Richard and his family we will not. It's actually pretty refreshing to have a news source not speculate something in a celebrity death case. Then again, it almost sounded kind of backhanded. Like they were saying "We're thinking it was something that would be juicy gossip, but we're good guys. We won't talk about... right now." Maybe I'm reading too much into their intentions, though.

Tenbatsuzen

03-11-2007, 07:36 PM

*shrug* - with Depp's kid in the hospital, it was apparently an infection from a rusty nail - and all the news magazines held back because they didn't want people to know that Depp didn't innoculate his kids. What can be "really bad" - worse than inoperable cancer?  I can only think of a few medical conditions that would even make me contemplate suicide, and I would only do so after living my life to the fullest.  Hell, even if he was diagnosed with HIV, he'd still have about 15-20 years left.

TheMojoPin

03-11-2007, 08:14 PM

Tenbatsuzen wrote: *shrug* - with Depp's kid in the hospital, it was apparently an infection from a rusty nail - and all the news magazines held back because they didn't want people to know that Depp didn't innoculate his kids. Is there some universal "Depp code" that I didn't get the memo about?The gossip rags love it when celebrities fuck up.  Why would Depp get off the hook?  The Negative Nancy in me says it wasn't a bigger story because the kid didn't die, not because they wanted to "protect" the dude from 21 Jump Street.

Snacks

03-11-2007, 08:15 PM

PapaBear wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Tenbatsuzen wrote: For us to to speculate why his career didn't "take off" in acting, perhaps it's just because maybe he was happy solely doing standup. You can hear in Norton's voice how bitter he is about how Lucky Louie ended, and how the two-faced nature of the business kind of turned him off to doing a TV series again.  I'm not saying that's how Norton truly feels, just an observation on my part. He wasn't hurting for work, obviously, if he was getting headlining gigs at the Improv.  He didn't degenerate into one of these nameless touring comedians. Perhaps he was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and didn't want to die slowly. I've seen it mentioned in a few places that he was supposedly diagnosed with something REALLY bad recently, but keep in mind that that vague info is per the interwebs.For example... what was in the link that Reefdweller posted.It is said that he chose to take his life because of a seemingly intractable <a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21268468.shtml#" target="_top">medical condition</a>, the nature of which we are not privy to.  We could speculate, but out of respect for Richard and his family we will not. It's actually pretty refreshing to have a news source not speculate something in a celebrity death case. Then again, it almost sounded kind of backhanded. Like they were saying "We're thinking it was something that would be juicy gossip, but we're good guys. We won't talk about... right now." Maybe I'm reading too much into their intentions, though.I agree its about time media didnt make a story up just to do it. I did read on yahoo that when the police or ambulance arrived he was still alive. Very very sad!

Snacks

03-11-2007, 08:32 PM

Bossanova wrote:  O&A made him go on the air from the lobby via phone.  They shit all over him.I hope this link works <a href="http://afro202.com/archives/oa-bits/richard-jeni-visits.mp3">http://afro202.com/archives/oa-bits/richard-jeni-visits.mp3</a>just listened. 1 of the many reasons I hate their show. Opie is a such a dick towards people. Its ashame b/c Anthony is so talented but Opie talks down to everyone and its not even funny. I love how he turned it around on the. He said "you wouldnt like it (his comedy act)" "its not annoying or humiliating of people"  "you know , not what you would find funny"loved that! He was real funny in this audio clip. A lot of people actual called up to defend Jeni and talk about how funny he was.

This message was edited by Snacks on 3-12-07 @ 12:41 AM

ralphbxny

03-11-2007, 09:40 PM

Wasnt a big fan of his but it always stinks to hear of these things. RIP !

inksite.com

03-12-2007, 05:26 AM

Very sad news.  He was my favorite stand-up comic.I saw him several times in North Jersey clubs in the '80's.  I love the bit about how bad it was back in the old days.  "Go!?! We didn't GO anywhere!  We didn't have LEGS!"  Classic stuff.RIP

ShelleBink

03-12-2007, 05:54 AM

It sucks, I met the dude a few times and he seemed nice.  Used to headline at the Stress Factory in NB quite a few times. Just kinda bummed and shocked about the whole thing.

angelinad128

03-12-2007, 06:04 AM

RIP.  I liked him I thought he was funny.

BACH16207

03-12-2007, 07:10 AM

He was a pisser! R.I.P. My Nigga    <img src="/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/down.gif" border="0" width="20" height="20" />