Comedian Patrice O'Neal has passed away at 41 after a long-term battle with diabetes. Though his career reached from radio (he was a regular on The Opie & Anthony Show) to TV (he recently had recurring role on "The Office") to standup (he was featured on "Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen"), it is his work in movies that we will remember most of all.
O'Neal made a name for himself with his own slant on dark, confrontational humor, but he was a master at the broad, big box office comedies as well — all but stealing the show with his performance in the hit "Scary Movie 4." (You know you saw it. Twice.)
He also dabbled in drama, however, appearing in thrillers like "25th Hour" and "In the Cut."
Matt Frost, O'Neal's booking agent, tells Entertainment Weekly, "Patrice is survived by his wife, Vondecarlo; his step daughter Aymilyon, sister Zinder, and his mother Georgia. 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."
He continues, "Many of us have lost a close and loved friend; all of us have lost a true comic genius." We couldn't agree more.
