STAND-UP comedian Kenny DeForest was renowned for his relaxed, confident delivery and appearances on US late-night shows.
Tragically, the “universally beloved” star died at the young age of 37 after five days in hospital, leaving his fans and loved ones devastated.
Who was Kenny DeForest?
Born in Springfield, Missouri in 1986, DeForest was once named one of the “50 funniest people in Brooklyn” in Brooklyn Magazine.
He made his late-night debut on Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2017 and had a reputation for being charming and relatable.
His sudden death on December 13, 2023 sparked an outpouring of love and tributes from across the globe, including from fellow stand-up comic Ian Fidance who said DeForest was the “kindest soul”.
Atsuko Okatsuka, a Los Angeles-based comic, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Kenny DeForest was always down to clown. A bright light. You’ll be missed.”
What was Kenny DeForest known for?
DeForest was best known for his appearances on popular US TV shows Late Night With Seth Meyers and The Late Show With James Corden.
Seth Meyers’ show’s team posted on X, formerly Twitter, following his death: “Kenny DeForest was a universally beloved comedian who died tragically, and much too young. His relaxed, confident delivery always stood out.
“As you can see from his debut late-night set on LNSM, he wasn’t afraid to tackle controversial topics, but never just to be edgy- always in service of an original angle and a great joke.
“It’s a shame we won’t get to see what he comes up with next.”
He also appeared on MTV Decoded and the Comedy Central show Tales From The Trip.
What was Kenny DeForest’s cause of death?
The comedian tragically died after being hit by a car on December 8, 2023 while riding an e-bike bike in New York City.
According to a post by comic Ryan Beck on GoFundMe, he underwent neurological surgery to remove a piece of his skull and relieve pressure from a brain bleed following the smash.
He later died surrounded by his parents, family, and friends on December 13, 2023 at Kings County Hospital.
Beck noted his “dear friend” would “continue to make meaningful improvements in the lives of others” even in death, through the gift of organ donation.