We’ve lost stand-up comic and actor Kevin Meaney, and — as he would say — “That’s not right!” The veteran comedian and big pants person was found dead of unknown causes at age 60 in his home in Forestburgh, New York, on Friday. Meaney’s agent, Tom Ingegno, told The Comic’s Comic that an autopsy is pending, and he told Laughspin, “It is true as confirmed to me by his family. It is a tremendous loss to the comedy community as well. He was loved and will be missed.”
Meaney started standup in 1980, but it wasn’t until his first HBO special in 1986 and his incredibly memorable late night appearances — particularly his debut on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1987 — that the Boston comedian became a national comedy draw. He performed standup for four decades and appeared in movies (Big) and TV, particularly in animated shows including Rocko’s Modern Life, Space Ghost Coast To Coast, and Dr. Katz. He even performed on Broadway in Hairspray in 2002. And, on a personal note, he made me laugh far too hard every time he yelled, “We’re going to lose the house!” And I was psyched when he came out as gay in 2008.
Comedians and those connected to the comedy community offered an outpouring of love on Twitter overnight. Many celebrities also took to Twitter to recommend videos of their favorite Kevin Meaney bits. A standout favorite recommended by Steve Carell and Dan Soder was his “I don’t care” song, which he would sing to signal to a tough crowd that he didn’t care if they laughed or not. This song could go on for a hilariously long time, depending on the set.
Another standout favorite — among producer Phil Rosenthal and others — was his frenetic, one-man-show rendition of “We Are The World”:
Dave Atell and Paul F. Tompkins recommended one of Meaney’s many memorable impersonations of his mother, “Why do you do this to your father and I?” and “We’re big pants people!”
Along with recommendations of his funny material, plenty of people — especially comics who also came up in the Boston comedy scene with Meaney in the ’80s — offered reminders of how kind and gregarious he was to work with:
Always thought Kevin Meaney was a brilliant comedian. Then we hung out in Ireland and I found out he was also a terrific person. RIP.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 22, 2016
Kevin Meaney is proof that a man can be that talented and that kind at the same time.
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) October 22, 2016
Kevin Meaney is nature's prince. Swirling madly in the heavens.
— Biden/Harris 2024 (@GregProops) October 22, 2016
Kevin Meaney was brilliantly funny and a nice guy to boot. I was privileged to do a couple gigs with him. What a huge loss. Rest In Peace.
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) October 22, 2016
Kevin Meaney was the loveliest and most gentle person. He was so hilarious and playful and I'll miss his spirit and brilliant imagination.
— Rachel Feinstein (@RachelFeinstein) October 22, 2016
At a loss for words for another great comedian gone. A sweet man and a legend. Kevin Meaney. Unreal. We hold you. We love you. RIP.
— Nick Swardson (@NickSwardson) October 22, 2016
RIP Kevin Meaney. Relentlessly funny. One of kind.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) October 22, 2016
Kevin Meaney was as funny as they get and the nicest man. He could make you lose your mind laughing. A very special person. https://t.co/EBvDUmNUrr
— Judd Apatow 🇺🇦 (@JuddApatow) October 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/danagould/status/789693676872093696
https://twitter.com/MehranX/status/789815207153504256
Kevin Meaney was a great standup, a terrifically funny actor and a very nice man. RIP
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) October 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/bcgoldthwait/status/789659660915650560
There was never a funnier person, bigger talent, kinder soul or dearer friend than Kevin Meaney. I shall miss him always.
— Barry Crimmins (@crimmins) October 22, 2016
Deeply saddened to hear of the death of an old, hilarious friend, @KevinMeaney. A good man and a brilliantly funny comic. #RIPKevinMeaney
— Paul Provenza (@PaulProvenza) October 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/therealroseanne/status/789653731163770880
Kevin Meaney. So kind. So damn funny. So sorry for his loved ones for his loss. Rest In Peace dear Kevin.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) October 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/OfficialKat/status/789671806521049088
Kevin Meaney is hugely important to me, and I will always speak of him in the present tense. Thank you Kevin.
— John Hodgman (@hodgman) October 22, 2016
R.I.P. Kevin Meaney. A true, and rare, comedy legend. And one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet as well.
— david cross✍ (@davidcrosss) October 22, 2016
Sad, sad news about Kevin Meaney. I was lucky enough to work with him a few times. He was always sweet and brilliantly funny. A great loss.
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) October 22, 2016
"Look at 'em. Look at 'em. Look at 'em." – @kevinmeaney's hilariously universal impression of his parents judging people. #RIP Genius Man.
— Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) October 22, 2016
#KevinMeaney was one of the first stand-ups that I ever saw. Thank you for making me laugh, Kevin. It was an honor to be in your audience.
— Shawn Garrett (@ShawnGarrett) October 22, 2016
Holy shit, Kevin Meaney died? His bits permanently occupied my brain. I seriously last flashed on him like 3 days ago. He made a mark. RIP.
— James Urbaniak (@JamesUrbaniak) October 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/blainecapatch/status/789667280980287488
RIP @kevinmeaney one of Boston's best ever and a big inspiration to me growing up. Hilarious dude. Super bummed. pic.twitter.com/EGg9T9g2n7
— Will Noonan (@willnoonan) October 21, 2016
Oh Kevin Meany. We knew your act by heart. We're big pants people! RIP
— Karen Kilgariff (@KarenKilgariff) October 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/jonahray/status/789667208410476544
