Reports: Comedian Greg Giraldo dead at 44
Comedian Greg Giraldo's website was directing fans to his Facebook page Wednesday to offer condolences after various media outlets reported that the comedian had died four days after being hospitalized for an accidental overdose. He was 44.
Word spread quickly on Twitter after fellow comic Jim Norton posted his confirmation of Giraldo's death, along with a photo of the two together in June.
Comics including Louis C.K., Sarah Silverman and Michael Ian Black also tweeted their thoughts. "RIP Greg Giraldo. Belly-laugh hilarious, prolific, good & kind. A thousand oys can't express," said Silverman.
A spokesman for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where Giraldo had been admitted Saturday, referred calls to Giraldo's management company, which was not releasing information Wednesday afternoon. His management said in a statement to Punchline magazine, however, that it had postponed a scheduled showcase "out of respect to Greg's family."
Giraldo was hospitalized in New Brunswick, N.J., after he accidentally overdosed on prescription medicine Saturday night at a hotel in East Brunswick.
He'd been booked for shows at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick for four nights, closing Saturday, and was found by friends after he failed to show for a scheduled performance. Giraldo had been scheduled to perform in Levittown, N.Y., on Friday; in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 7; and in San Antonio on Oct. 15.
See an interview with Giraldo before the Comedy Central roast of David Hasselhoff in the video below (and throwing verbal barbs at the Hoff here, if you don't mind some cursing). Punchline magazine has an interesting interview with him from 2009.
-- Christie D'Zurilla
Related dispatch from the Ministry of Gossip:
'Last Comic Standing' judge Greg Giraldo hospitalized for overdose
GAH!!! SO MAD AT YOU GREG!!
So mad...and tears are streaming down my cheeks for you.
You were one of the best.
I can't beieve you are gone.
RIP dammit.
sigh.
Posted by: Jase | Sep 29, 2010 at 06:10 PM
Yeah, what a gut punch when I read that headline. Gonna miss you Greg. RIP buddy.
Posted by: toodles | Sep 29, 2010 at 06:24 PM
What a shame,so much joy lost to never return.
Posted by: Jack | Sep 29, 2010 at 06:31 PM
Rest in peace Greg...and thanks for all the laughs.
Posted by: Brandon | Sep 29, 2010 at 06:33 PM
God Bless ..Greg I never met you ,but you were welcome in my house.Thank You for all the laughs,you will be in my prayers.You left us laughing may your last thought be that.
Posted by: blastlane | Sep 29, 2010 at 07:29 PM
"accidentally overdosed on prescription medicine"
hmmm... is that a euphemism or what?
Posted by: sdfd | Sep 29, 2010 at 08:45 PM
Out of tremendous respect for Greg, the only thing we can do in a horrible time like this is to reflect on just how atrociously fat Lisa Lampanelli's ass is. Would Greg have wanted it any other way? RIP Greg and best wishes to your loved ones.
Posted by: ebhp | Sep 29, 2010 at 10:38 PM
How horrible! I just watched your show and loved your sarcasm! RIP!
Posted by: aaron | Sep 30, 2010 at 08:05 AM
One of the best ever. I don't mean that in a posthumous, eulogizing, suck-up kind of way but in reality. This guy was hilarious. Loved that time he got into it with Dennis Leary, making him look like an idiot on Tough Crowd (nothing against Dennis Leary, but for me that put Giraldo on the map).
Posted by: deeb | Sep 30, 2010 at 08:22 AM
RIP Greg.....waaay too soon. Imagine all the hilarity we will all now miss out on--Greg, we hardly knew ye!
Posted by: Jim | Sep 30, 2010 at 10:26 AM
To paraphase Carlos Castenada, "One of our biggest problems is man's inability to believe what is happening to us." This is one of those times. RIP Greg. You will be missed.
Posted by: Rafa | Sep 30, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Jase, I couldn't have said it better myself. I regrettably never met the guy but I have been a fan as long as I can remember, he truly was one of the best. I'm pissed that this happened.
Posted by: Suzanna | Sep 30, 2010 at 11:22 AM
who is greg giraldo?
Posted by: gene chan | Sep 30, 2010 at 11:44 AM
In this serious world it is sad that we have one less person who can make us smile.
Posted by: jeffee | Sep 30, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Man. This hurts more than anything that has happened to me today, and I did just have myself waxed!
You were one of the funniest guys I've ever had the pleasure of being disgusted at, Greg. May you rest in peace and know that you will go down in history as one of my favorite comedians, and God knows....that means A LOT!
RIP Bro. Hope to see you on the other side.
Posted by: Terran | Sep 30, 2010 at 06:17 PM
Once again illicit, uncontrolled, pharmaceuticals kill our friends and family but not one finger pointed at Big Pharma to stop feeding these addicts for profit. I see how hard they work to keep that demon weed illegal though. Disgusting!
Posted by: DannyDiamond | Oct 01, 2010 at 12:44 AM
To me, this guy was the obvious heir to George Carlin; very smart, very funny....one of the best. RIP young man.
Posted by: Glen | Oct 01, 2010 at 06:59 AM
This is so hard to accept. Greg's voice stood alone. He was brilliant. Irreplaceable. He could tell it like it is in a painfully direct and hilarious way, unlike any other comic or commentator. This loss is really painful.
Posted by: Ricky | Oct 01, 2010 at 08:41 AM
i watch the news all the time but didn't find out 'till afew days ago.anyway thats to bad,i liked that guy! cant belive he od on pain meds.he was a smart dude. whats weird is a contestant also died at 44,from a hrt attack. mon.
Posted by: dave | Mar 21, 2011 at 02:34 PM