Kevin Meaney, standup and 'comic's comic', dies at age of 60

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/22/kevin-meaney-stand-up-comic-dies

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Kevin Meaney, a “comic’s comic” who worked the standup circuit, was a staple on late-night TV and starred in the short-lived 1990s CBS series Uncle Buck, has died, his agent said on Saturday. He was 60.

Meaney was found dead on Friday at his home in Forestburgh in upstate New York, said the agent, Tom Ingegno. The cause of death was not immediately known.

The Hollywood director Judd Apatow said, using Twitter: “Kevin Meaney was as funny as they get and the nicest man. He could make you lose your mind laughing. A very special person.”

Meaney’s comedy career spanned 30 years. The father and native New Yorker had a small role as an executive in the 1988 film comedy Big, starring Tom Hanks, and led the CBS version of Uncle Buck which ran just one season, from 1990 to 1991.

An HBO special, in 1986, launched Meaney’s comedy career after he toiled doing standup in San Francisco and Boston. In 1987, he took his first turn on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He also appeared as a guest on Saturday Night Live and on shows hosted by David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey and Conan O’Brien.

Kevin Meaney trained several generations of San Francisco and Boston comedians that the performer dictates what's funny. Not the audience.

Condolences poured in via social media from Meaney’s fellow comedians, including this on Twitter from Kevin Nealon, who referenced one of Meaney’s favorite topics, his judgmental, high-strung parents: “So sorry to hear about the passing of comedian Kevin Meaney. He made me laugh hard. What a talent and nice guy. Truly ‘big pants people’.”

Meaney was also known for his raucous I Don’t Care song in standup routines that had him dancing and waving around one arm: “I don’t care. I don’t care. My jokes don’t go over, I don’t care!”

Bob Saget, Patton Oswalt and Michael McKean were among others to laud Meaney for his acting, standup chops and sweet personality.