Updated August 22, 2023 22.5K votes 4.9K voters 581.7K views
Voting Rules
Stand Up Comics Who Died Before They Were Done only. (No Actors.) Upvote the comedians who left the most great comedy behind.
This is a list of the best stand up comedians who died too early. These stand up comedians died before they had run out of steam and, for most, died in the prime of their career. Stand up comedy is a hard profession and drives the people in it into some pretty rough lifestyles. Because of this, there are many more premature deaths in the world of comedy than there are in other professions. Not all stand up comedians succumb to this, but some of the best stand ups have died too soon. This list contains stand up comedians who are dead now (R.I.P.) and who died before their time.
This doesn't necessarily mean that the stand up comics on this list died early or young. Most of them were middle aged or, in the case of George Carlin, downright old. This list is for the stand up comics that died with plenty of comedy left in them. So much so that it is tragic to lose them. Some of these deaths occurred recently, whereas others happened decades ago.
Many items on this list contain videos of some of the best performances by the deceased comedians in question. Please note that some of these videos contain harsh language and may not be suitable for work. Vote up your favorite stand up comedians who died too soon.
A passionate performer, Robin Williams was an effervescent comedian and versatile actor who rose to fame in the late 1970s as the alien Mork in the sitcom Mork & Mindy. Known for his improvisational skills and wide range of voices, he went on to star in numerous successful films such as Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, and Mrs. Doubtfire. Williams tragically died by suicide in 2014, later discovered to have been suffering from Lewy body dementia.
Age: Dec. at 63 (1951-2014)
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Credits: Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Jumanji, Aladdin
Beloved Canadian comedian and actor John Candy was best known for his larger-than-life persona, impeccable comic timing, and unforgettable roles in classic films like Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Uncle Buck, and The Great Outdoors. A fixture of the sketch comedy series SCTV, Candy's warmth and genuine humor left a lasting impression on audiences around the world. He passed away suddenly in 1994 due to a heart attack while filming Wagons East.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential stand-up comedians of all time, George Carlin was renowned for his dark humor, keen observations of American life, and provocative social commentary. With a career spanning five decades, Carlin released numerous comedy albums and hosted several HBO specials, notably breaking ground with his famous "Seven Dirty Words" routine. He passed away from heart failure in 2008, leaving behind an enduring legacy as a comedic icon.
Age: Dec. at 71 (1937-2008)
Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
Credits: Dogma, Cars, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, George Carlin: Playin' with Your Head
A founding member of the legendary "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on Saturday Night Live, John Belushi was an energetic, charismatic comedian who became a household name with characters like Samurai Futaba and Joliet "Jake" Blues, one half of The Blues Brothers. Belushi's film career took off with hits like National Lampoon's Animal House and The Blues Brothers movie. He died tragically at the age of 33 from an accidental drug overdose in 1982.
Age: Dec. at 33 (1949-1982)
Birthplace: USA, Chicago, Humboldt Park, Illinois
Credits: The Blues Brothers,Saturday Night Live,Animal House,1941
An unstoppable force of nature, Chris Farley was a comedic powerhouse known for his larger-than-life characters, physical humor, and boundless energy on Saturday Night Live. Farley achieved film success with movies like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep, but struggled with substance abuse issues throughout his career. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 33 due to a drug overdose, leaving fans heartbroken by the loss of such a talented comedian.
Age: Dec. at 33 (1964-1997)
Birthplace: Madison, USA, Wisconsin
Credits: Tommy Boy, Beverly Hills Ninja, Black Sheep, Wayne's World 2
A trailblazer in the world of comedy, Richard Pryor was known for his brutally honest, raw, and often controversial stand-up performances that tackled race relations, social issues, and personal experiences. He starred in several successful films, including Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, and The Toy, while also co-writing the screenplay for the iconic movie Blazing Saddles. Pryor, who had been battling multiple sclerosis, died of a heart attack in 2005.
Age: Dec. at 65 (1940-2005)
Birthplace: Peoria, USA, Illinois
Credits: Richard Pryor: Live in Concert,Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip,Blazing Saddles,Richard Pryor... Here and Now
