Hollywood Pays Tribute to the Late Patrice O’Neal
It seems like all of Hollywood is taking to their social networking and microblogging sites to pay respects to one of comedy's most treasured performers. Patrice O'Neal passed away on Tuesday at 41 years old.
The comedian suffered a stroke in late October. It was O'Neil's close friend, Opie of the "Opie and Anthony" radio show, who announced that O'Neil had indeed passed on and he mourns the loss of the greatest comedian and thinker that he knew.
"Today we found out the unfortunate news that comedian and friend of 'Late Night' Patrice O'Neal passed away due to complications from a stroke. Patrice was an incredibly talented individual and a wonderful person and we were happy and fortunate to have him as a guest on our show," the Web site for "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" posted.
O'Neal appeared on a string of different programs through his career: "The Colin Quinn Show," "Arrested Development" and "The Office," to name a few.
As such, he had many friends and colleagues throughout the industry who respected his wit, verve, comedic timing and just who he was as a person. One of his last performances was a roast for Charlie Sheen, where he delivered an impressive set; even Sheen had something to say about the talented standup comedian.
"The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man today.
"Patrice had that rare 'light' around him and inside of him. I only knew him for the few days leading up to the roast. Yet I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent. My tears today are for the tremendous loss to his true friends and loving family," he wrote on his WhoSay page.
O'Neil's family has opted not to give away further details.