RIP Mitch Hedberg

[bobster]

I've only saw him on the "David Letterman" that EC hosted -- very funny. Anyhow, I know this board has lots of serious comedy fans, who will certainly be saddened.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... it_hedberg

Comedian and Actor Mitch Hedberg, 37, Dies

Fri Apr 1, 8:03 AM ET Entertainment - AP Music

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Mitch Hedberg, a Minnesota-born comedian who worked in nightclubs, television and film in a wide-ranging career, died in New Jersey, his family said. He was 37.

Hedberg, who struggled with drugs and alcohol, died Wednesday in a hotel room in Livingston, N.J.

Pending the medical examiner's report, the cause of death appears to be heart failure, said his mother, Mary Hedberg. She said her son was born with a heart defect and frequently felt anxious about his condition.

Mary Hedberg said speculation that her son's death was drug-related was gossip.

"We don't know that for a fact," she said, but added, "it's not a secret Mitch used drugs. Whether that played a role in his death or not, we don't know."

A hit on "The Late Show With David Letterman," on which he appeared 10 times, and "The Howard Stern Show," Hedberg once was dubbed "the next Seinfeld" by Time magazine. But TV-series fame eluded him because his unique style of mumbled one-liners didn't lend itself to the sitcom format.

Hedberg delivered absurdist, random observations in a spacy staccato. His long, dirty blond hair harkened to the image of a 1970s stoner.

Jokes about Hedberg's drug use were a staple of his act. He took a hiatus from performing for several months after a May 2003 arrest in Austin, Texas, for felony possession of heroin.

Born in St. Paul, Hedberg rose through the ranks at Minneapolis' Acme Comedy Co. and caught his big break through a Comedy Central special.

His rambling, non-sequitur style often drew comparisons to Steven Wright, but Hedberg disagreed.

"If I made potato chips and put them in a can, people would say I was ripping off Pringles," he said. "But what if I put them in a bag?"

Hedberg had two popular comedy CDs, "Strategic Grill Locations" and "Mitch All Together." He acted in the movie "Almost Famous" — smoking fake pot with Peter Frampton — and appeared on Fox's hit series "That '70s Show."

Hedberg is survived by his wife, comedian Lynn Shawcroft, his father and mother, Arne and Mary Hedberg of St. Paul, and sisters Wendy Brown of Woodbury and Angie Anderson of South St. Paul.

[pip_52]

Bobster, I heard about this other day and was also really saddened by it. I was at the taping of the EC-hosted Letterman show where he performed, and that was the only time I saw him perform live. But his Comedy Central Presents special was also really good. They played it last night ...

In fact, a friend of mine who was with me when I went to that taping was in town visiting me a few weeks ago, and we ended up talking about Mitch Hedberg (for reasons that I cant remember) ... actually at least two different times through the weekend. He's a good comic for quoting.

[King Hoarse]

I saw him a couple of times on talk shows and enjoyed him a lot but always forgot his name. Every once in awhile they mention there's a comedian coming on the show and I hope it's him but I guess I can stop wishing now. Sad.

[bobster]

Pip --

Didn't know you were at the Letterman/EC show! Now, I'm impressed...

[clairequilty]

Mitch Hedberg WAS stand up comedy.

I begged my friends to go see him in KC a while back and had no takers so I missed it.

FUCK.

This is a horrible thing. He was a genius. FUCK.

This is as bad as Elliott Smith.

He was the fucking Beatles.

GO BUY HIS TWO CDS IMMEDIATELY.

[El Vez]

He had real talent and was obviously on his way to the top of his profession. I hate this for his family and it's very sad that audiences will never get to see him perform again.

[werunandhit]

Personally I hope the fucker burns in hell.

[clairequilty]

At least he'll be keeping a light on for me.