Barry Brecheisen/WireImagePatrice O'Neal, RIP.
The outsized funnyman who kept America laughing via a series of cable specials, capped in August by an uproarious appearance on Comedy Central's Roast of Charlie Sheen, has died from complications due to a stroke suffered last month, E! News has confirmed.
He was 41.
"It is with terrible sadness we must report that Patrice O'Neal has passed away this morning at 7:00am due to the complications of the stroke he suffered on October 19," O'Neal's manager, Jonathan Brandstein, tells E! News in a statement. "Many of us have lost a close and loved friend; all of us have lost a true comic genius. His mother, who was also his best friend, was at his side.
"The family wishes to thank all of the fans and friends who have expressed an outpouring of love and support for Patrice these past weeks. We ask that you please respect the family's request for privacy at this difficult time."
Sheen also mourned Patrice's passing.
"The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man today. Patrice had that rare 'light' around him and inside of him," Sheen writes on Whosay.com. "I only knew him for the few days leading up the Roast. Yet I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent. My tears today are for the tremendous loss to his true friends and loving family."
Other friends joined in with their own tributes.
"Yes it's true that our pal Patrice O'Neal has passed away. The funniest and best thinker i've ever known PERIOD," tweeted Opie from Sirius XM Radio's Opie and Anthony Show, where O'Neal frequently guested.
The shockjock also linked to a YouTube video of O'Neal joking around in the studio.
On Oct. 19, Opie and Anthony broke the news via Facebook that O'Neal had endured a stroke and urged listeners to keep him in their prayers as it was unclear whether he'd recover.
Besides being a regular guest of the radio cut-ups, O'Neal was best known for a string of half-hour HBO and Showtime stand-up specials following his breakthrough on HBO's Def Comedy Jam in 2007. His first hour-long special, Elephant in the Room, debuted on Comedy Central last February.
The comedian was also a regular on Comedy Central's Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn for two years and performed on The Late Show With David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O'Brien.
He also had guest shots on The Office, Arrested Development and Chappelle's Show among others.
No word yet on funeral plans. O'Neal is survived by his wife, Vondecarlo; his step daughter, Aymilyon; sister Zinder and his mother, Georgia.
—Additional Reporting by Sharareh Drury and Holly Passalaqua