Comedian Richard Jeni Dies from Apparent Suicide

According to police Sunday, standup comedian Richard Jeni died of a gunshot wound. The gunshot was obviously a suicide.

49 year-old comedian Richard Jeni had been a regular guest on the "Tonight Show". Jeni also had starred in numerous HBO comedy specials. He had played in some big name movies of which included "The Mask" and even "National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off."

Jeni had first received recognition in 1990 with his Showtime special "Richard Jeni: New York City." Showtime's highest ratings in history came for Jeni's special," Crazy from the Heat."

According to Los Angeles Police Officer Norma Eisenman, police had found Jeni alive but severely injured after responding to a call Saturday morning that Jeni's girlfriend had made.

The caller apparently told police, "My boyfriend shot himself in the face," according to Eisenman.

Lt. Fred Corral from the investigation division of the coroner's office confirms that an autopsy would be done on Monday. Eisenman held to the fact that suicide has not been "officially" established and that the investigation was ongoing.

Born on October 31, 1957 Jeni was raised up in an Italian-American family in Brooklyn, New York.

The Brooklyn born comedian's official website, richardjeni.com, has a picture of the comedian and a link to sign the Memorial Guestbook.

In 2004, Jeni made it on to Comedy Central's "100 greatest stand-ups of all time," list. He was number 57 on the list.

In 2005, Jeni's had the honor of writing the comic material to be used during the 2005 Academy Awards. The Academy Awards were hosted by his comrade Chris Rock.

In 1992, Jeni had made his first appearance on "The HBO Comedy Hour," with his show titled, " Richard Jeni: Platypus Man."

TV Guide had called him "flat-out hilarious." People's magazine also commented on the comedian and had called him "thrilling to watch."

Other accomplishments of Richard Jeni included winning the American Comedy Award for "Best Male Stand-up" on ABC TV. Jeni had also hosted for two years A&E "Caroline's Comedy Hour." It was that particular show that had won him the Cable ACE Award for "Best Stand-up Comedy Show."

Stand-up comedian Frazer Smith was directly quoted on AP as having this to say," He was probably one of the best standup comedians in the last 50 years. He had tons and tons of material. He was looked up to by all the young comedians, a total pro."

Sources:

Associated Press:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070312/ap_on_en_ot/obit_jeni;_ylt=AmwRbBASDk5EBiahlF6FyW.s0NUE

Official Website:
http://www.richardjeni.com

Garbow:
http://www.grabow.biz/Comedy_Magic/RichardJeni.htm

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Jeni