Only the good die young. And Patrice O’ Neal was very, very good.
There’s a takeover on Google right now about people searching for Patrice O’ Neal’s name, namely because the comedian has passed at 41 due to complications related to a stroke he suffered a few months ago. But really, he should have been a bigger name than he was. There was no comic more honest about who he was, and funnier than O’Neal – you can see evidence of his talent anywhere you look at New York or national comedy. He’s all over Opie and Anthony, his special ‘Elephant in the Room’ is one of the best stand-up specials to come out for years, all the while pulling duties playing background behind Craig Robinson on ‘The Office’.
O’Neal was a tough dude – he wrote for wrestling shows, moved to England when he thought his stand-up wasn’t going well, and toughed it out there before becoming an icon of the New York scene.
But really, more people should’ve known about him. He’s as good of a comic as we’re ever going to see come around these parts. He was too young, still had a lot of laughs to give, but now he’s away with Giraldo – pissing everyone off.
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