A Missouri man who devoted his life to making people laugh died Wednesday, days after being hit by a car.
kenny DeForest, The 37-year-old New York-based comedian was hit by a car near his Brooklyn home on Friday. Friend, Organized by A GoFundMe He wrote on behalf of the family that DeForest had been “in an e-bike accident.”
He underwent neurosurgery at Kings County Hospital, a local hospital, “to remove a piece of his skull and relieve pressure from a brain bleed.” DeForest died from his injuries.
The comedian spent his days after the accident with the people who loved him dearly, including his parents, family and friends.
“Kenny’s final moments included some of his favorite songs, stories of his childhood, and memories of his overwhelming positivity and joy in life,” the post read.
Ryan Beck, the organizer, wrote that his friend’s legacy will live on.
“Kenny’s impactful life will continue through the gift of organ donation. Even in death he will continue to make meaningful improvements in the lives of others.”
Money raised through GoFundMe, about $177,372 as of Thursday, will go to help DeForest’s family cover the cost of his medical expenses.
Let us tell you more about Kenny DeForest, who was once named as one of Brooklyn 50 funniest people.
Who was Kenny DeForest?
Kenny DeForest was a comedy writer. the actor And a Musician or musician. He is best known for his appearances on Comedy Central, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show with James Corden, HBO’s Crashing, and TruTV’s Friends of the People.
His career started making big strides in 2015 when he was named one of Comedy Central’s “Funniest People to Watch.”
DeForest grew up in Springfield, Missouri, dreaming of becoming a professional basketball player. He attended Kickapoo High School and then Drury University in his hometown, where he also played ball.
DeForest described comedy as “the second dream,” he joked in his speech August Comedy Special That he was only able to work as a comedian because playing in the NBA didn’t work out.
“Seriously, it’s never lost on me what a privilege it is to pursue my second favorite career. You know? Not everyone can do this.”
Funny enough, he knew he wanted to be a comedian at a basketball game. He was a senior in high school at the time. DeForest was assigned to guard Tyler Hansbrough, a future NBA player.
He tells the audience that he may have technically lost that day, but he believes “we all won.”
“Hansbrough got a full scholarship to North Carolina State. I got this story. Which is really better, you know?”
DeForest says there was a specific moment in that game when he became a comedian, saying he threw the ball to Hansbrough knowing he was about to be overwhelmed with experience.
“I won’t let that happen again. Six times is simply too many. I dribbled down the middle, was about to go and I covered him. I just wrapped him around and grabbed my wrist,” he said.
Hansborough passed him and managed to dive, and they both left the ground. He had a moment of clarity after the ball hit the rim, then his head and finally the stands.
“Okay I see. I should be a comedian. I should write this and make it funny, so it doesn’t come across as a shock. And here I am,” he says.
Where have you seen Kenny DeForest?
There are quite a few places where you may have seen DeForest during his time as a comedian.
Here are some of the places he appeared
How did the comedy community react to his death?
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Since news of DeForest’s death broke, many comedians have taken to social media to express their admiration and gratitude for getting to know someone like him.
wrote stand-up comedian Adam Conover Instagram That DeForest was “one of the funniest, most beloved comics any of us have ever known. Tragedy. Watch his special on YouTube. It came out three months ago. It’s beautiful. (Expletive) Cars forever.”
Close friend and fellow comedian Andy Sandford shared how much he didn’t want to publish a post about his friend, roommate, confidant, partner in the joke machine, and one of the best people he knows. Sandford just wants him back.
“I learned very early in my life that things don’t happen for a reason. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and they go away too soon. I ripped into my brother. I set the bar,” Sandford wrote. Instagram.
Joel Kim Poster Written on X, Previously known as Twitter that he will “love Kenny forever”.
“One of the most genuinely supportive funny guys who always made me feel welcome in the boys club and never made me feel like a sideshow…. I will miss you so much,” Poster wrote.
Late Night with Seth Meyers was also released Statement on X After DeForest’s death, he wrote that “Kenny DeForest was a universally beloved comedian who died tragically, far too young.”
“Kenny DeForest was a globally beloved comedian who died tragically, very young. His relaxed, confident manner always stood out. As you can see from his first late-night appearance on LNSM, he wasn’t afraid to take on controversial topics, but he wasn’t “Never edgy – always in service of an original angle and a great joke. It’s a shame we won’t get to see what he comes up with next.”
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”