14 DAY TRIAL // Four days after being rushed to the hospital because of an accidental overdose on prescription pills, comedian Greg Giraldo has died. He was only 44 years old.
Giraldo was admitted to the hospital a few days ago, with rumors saying at the time that he had tried to take his own life. Later reports said the OD had been accidental, but that the star remained in critical condition.
E! Online confirms that the comedian has passed away – he was divorced and is survived by 4 children.
Word of his death first broke on Twitter, with fellow comic and friend Jim Norton uploading a photo on Twitter and telling fans Giraldo was gone.
Others soon followed suit in what is an outpour of love and sadness at the thought of losing a wonderful friend and a brilliant comedian.
“Greg Giraldo was a good guy. The kind of you’re always glad to see. Also a funny comic and person. He died today. Goodbye friend,” Louie C.K. tweeted.
“Belly-laugh hilarious, prolific, good & kind. A thousand oys can’t express,” Sarah Silverman wrote later.
Giraldo was a fixture on Comedy Central, so the network too has issued a statement on his death.
“The tragic news of Greg’s passing hits us very, very hard. Greg has been a close member of the Comedy Central family for years, injecting his energy and wicked sense of humor into countless projects,” the statement says.
“The comedy community lost a brother today. Our thoughts are with his family,” Comedy Central adds.
All those who’ve worked with Giraldo are saddened by the news and are expressing their regret in heartfelt statements.
“He was my friend. Great guy, super talented, will be dearly missed in the business both on and off stage. He was just a really good guy and I can’t say that about everyone in the business, but he was a good person,” Gotham Comedy Club owner Chris Mazzilli says.
Greg Giraldo had struggled with addiction for many years but in September 2005 he was telling Howard Stern he’d been sober for months.
Reports say that he had remained so to his death. As per E!, a memorial public service will take place at a date that will be announced shortly.