Comedian Ralphie May dead at 45
LOS ANGELES -- A spokeswoman for Ralphie May says the comedian has died. He was 45.
In a statement Friday, publicist Stacey Pokluda says May died of cardiac arrest. She said he had been fighting pneumonia, which caused him to cancel a few appearances in the past month.
His body was found Friday morning at a private residence in Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, May was named casino comedian of the year at the Global Gaming Expo. He was booked through the rest of 2017 at Harrah's Las Vegas.
— Ralphie May (@Ralphie_May) October 6, 2017
May, a Tennessee native who was raised in Arkansas, parlayed a second-place finish on TV's "Last Comic Standing" in 2003 into TV and club appearances.
His publicist said May's survivors include his wife, Lahna Turner, and children April June and August James.
Several high-profile comics and other celebs mourned the loss of May on social media.
So sad to hear about Ralphie. Sweet guy. He loved doing stand up and loved comedians. #RIPRalphieMay
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) October 6, 2017
Wow....I was just told that Ralphie May passed. I'm truly saddened by this. He was a good dude. Heaven just got another funny angel RIP man
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) October 6, 2017
NO! #RalphieMay was such a nice guy! Last time we talked backstage at @zaniesnashville I promised to put him in the Jay/Bob movie. Dammit... https://t.co/zrljotClGr
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May. Dammit. You were a funny and sweet mofo man. Rest In Peace.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) October 6, 2017
Oh man. @Ralphie_May #RIP https://t.co/4fHbmu8p6M
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) October 6, 2017