RICHARD!

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - On a not so funny note, Richard Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds where ever he went, was a regular on the "Tonight Show" and appeared in movies, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, police said Sunday.

Jeni regularly toured the country with a standup act and had starred in several HBO comedy specials, most recently "A Big Steaming Pile of Me" during the 2005-06 season.




The Brooklyn-born comic first received national attention in 1990 with the Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City." Two years later, his "Crazy From the Heat" special attracted the highest ratings in Showtime's history.

Police found the 45-year-old comedian alive but gravely injured in a West Hollywood home when they responded to a call Saturday morning from Jeni's girlfriend, Los Angeles Police Officer Norma Eisenman said.

As is often the case, it's the really funny one's who are the most tortured. Richard always struck me as being one of the best comedians in the business. I enjoyed his work immensely and he will be greatly missed.

Your "not so happy today" scribe;
Allan W Janssen