Comic Greg Giraldo 44 Dies from Drug Overdose
Funny Man Greg Giraldo Dies at 44
I first took notice of Giraldo's keen comedy act when I saw him on Colin Quinn's Comedy Central talk show Tough Crowd. Giraldo, along with regulars like Nick DiPaolo, Judy Gold and Jim Norton traded comic quips about issues of the day. It was sort of Politically Incorrect or The View with mostly an all comedian panel.
Not only was Greg Giraldo consistently one of the funniest comics to appear on Colin Quinn's show, he was hands down one of the most intelligent, well read and informed comics I'd ever seen. It was no surprise when I learned not only had he been a lawyer before becoming a professional comedian, but he graduated from no less a prestigious educational institution than Harvard Law School.
It's inevitable comparisons will be made to other short lived funny people like Sam Kinison or John Belushi - Kinison died in an auto accident, Belushi from a drug overdose - as yet one more high living, high flying celebrity succumbing to narcotics.
If you've never had the pleasure of seeing this smart comedian work, check out those Comedy Central Roasts. His most recent was skewering David Hasselhoff. Here's the kind of clever banter Giraldo crafted. Giraldo to Hasselhoff, "You used to have a car that started when you talked to it, now you have a car that won't start when you blow into it."
Greg Giraldo leaves behind three children, a whole bunch of depressed fans in mourning like me, and a more than respectable comedy legacy. There's not many a guy who would ditch the relative security of a career bolstered by a Harvard Law degree, to pursue something as rough and tumble uncertain as stand up comedy. Giraldo not only pursued comedy, he more than excelled. RIP, Greg.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39427081/ns/today-entertainment/
Published by Will Stape
Will is an Emmy Award nominated screenwriter. He also writes extensively for magazines and the web. Will penned episodes for the TV shows, Star Trek: The Next Generation & Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.... View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentThe more humor the better on this planet.
What a shame...I will miss him.
I'm stunned. I can't believe he's gone
Sad!
The only solace I can take from Greg Giraldo passing, is the fact that I got a chance to see him perform in Houston just a few months ago. He simply wowed me and my guests, and implanted some personal experiences I'll remember the rest of my life. Greg was an exciting, unique talent, and was as smart as he was funny. You don't run across that combo everyday. His shoes will never be filled.
I could never get enough of this funny guy. I'm so bummed. Thanks for this tribute.