Standup comedian Richard Jeni died from a gunshot in an apparant suicide, police officials said Sunday. Police appeared on the scene after receiving a call from Jeni’s girlfriend. They found Jeni alive but severly injured. His girlfriend told police, “”My boyfriend shot himself in the face.” He died shortly afterwards in a nearby hospital.
The 49-year old Brooklyn native was a regular on the “Tonight” show and played to sold out crowds. His movie credits incude “The Mask,” “The Aristocrats,” and “National Lampoon’s Dad’s Week Off.” He recently appeared on the “Everybody Hates Rejection” of the popular TV series “Everybody Hates Chris.”
Frazer Smith, a standup comedian who worked with Jeni, said, “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.”
Suicide has not been officially confirmed. An autopsy will be performed on Monday.
