NEWSMike DeStefano, 'Last Comic Standing' Star, Dies of a Heart Attack
March 7 2011, Published 9:28 a.m. ET
Comedian Mike DeStefano, best known for placing fourth on Season 7 of Last Comic Standing, passed away Sunday after suffering a heart attack.
The tragic news of Mike's passing, via Punchline magazine, marks a huge loss for the comedy community.
The comedian was a former heroin addict who had been clean for 11 years and was also HIV positive.
Mike was known for his brutally honest comedy when he placed fourth on Season 7 of Last Comic Standing.
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He got his start in the New York comedy scene where he gained a loyal following of fans.
Mike was set to perform his one-man show A Cherry Tree in The Bronx, which he had been promoting on his Twitter, on Wednesday at the Barrow Street Theater in NYC, Punchline reports. He just finished a run of sold-out shows, titled Drugs, Disease and Death: A Comedy at the Producer’s Club Theater in New York.
"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a dear friend, a true gentleman, a great comic, and a fierce warrior, Mike DeStefano," Mikes's rep said in a statement to TMZ today. "Mike had a lot of wisdom to share with the world from his own life lessons and he always did it with laughter and a smile. It’s hard to think that there won’t be any more 'hey sweetheart' calls, because Mike always made my day with his mix of kindness and warmth AND profanity filled rants against the wrongs of the world. He was the genuine article. We love you and will miss you, Mike."
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The producer of his latest two solo shows, Cris Italia, took to the Cringe Humor site to share his condolences with the following messages.
"We’ll be updating this soon. We are confirming that Mike DeStefano has passed. We are deeply saddened. This is a devastating day for the comedy world. Our deepest condolences go out to Mike’s family and loved ones. Mike had become a brother to us, the shock and the sadness that comes from this will be felt forever. Mike was the epitome of what Cringe Humor stands for. Always real. Always True. Always Funny. We’ll be updating the site with any information. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and support."
Remember Mike through the clips below.
Mike's audition for Last Comic Standing.
Tags: Jokes,Joke of the Day,Funny Jokes
