R.I.P. Kenny DeForest: Popular Stand-Up Comedian Dead At 37

Beloved comedian Kenny DeForest passed away on Wednesday (Dec. 13) after being recently struck by a motor vehicle while riding his bike. He was 37 years old.

The stand-up comic had been in the hospital after the accident occurred on Dec. 8. Comic Ryan Beck announced the news of his passing on the GoFundMe page created to help with DeForest’s medical bills.

“Kenny DeForest is and was a truly positive influence on all the lives he touched. Kenny died on Wednesday December 13th at Kings County Hospital surrounded by his parents, family, and friends,” Beck’s statement on DeForest’s GoFundMe reads. “Kenny’s final moments included some of his favorite songs, stories of his childhood, and memories of his extensive positivity and joy for life.”

According to the statement, DeForest underwent surgery “to remove a piece of his skull and relieve pressure from a brain bleed.” The statement also notes that his organs were donated after his passing, carrying on “Kenny’s impactful life.”

At the time of publication, the crowdfunding page reached $175,922 from over 2,000 donors. The funds raised on the GoFundMe will reportedly go to the comedian’s family to cover his medical bills.

Countless comedians shared the GoFundMe page and memorialized the beloved comic on X, from Atsuko Okatsuka to Bill Burr.

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“A bright light. You’ll be missed,” Okatsuka wrote.

Late Night With Seth Meyers also honored the comedian with a statement on X. DeForest had made an appearance on the late night show in 2017. “Kenny DeForest was a universally beloved comedian who died tragically, and much too young,” the show’s statement reads. “It’s a shame we won’t get to see what he comes up with next.”

DeForest also performed on The Late Late Show With James Corden in 2019 as well as Comedy Central’s Tales from the Trip. He’s also appeared in HBO’s Crashing and wrote for MTV Decoded and Straight Up, Stand Up.

Earlier this year, DeForest released his second stand-up special Don’t You Know Who I Am?, which is available to watch on YouTube.

Adam Conover, host of Adam Ruins Everything, shared a tribute to the comic on Instagram and urged fans to watch his comedy special.

“Kenny DeForest was one of the funniest and most beloved comics any of us knew. A tragedy. Watch his special on YouTube. It came out three months ago. It’s beautiful. Fuck cars forever,” Conover wrote.

DeForest is survived by his parents.