Soon after the news of comedian Ralphie May’s death at the age of 45 broke on Friday, his fellow comics, many comedy clubs he’d performed at, and other stand-up aficionados and fans paid tribute to the Last Comic Standing star online. May, who was at the beginning of a new nationwide tour, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in a private residence in Las Vegas. His body was found Friday morning, mere hours after the comedian had performed one of several shows at Harrah’s. In a statement posted by May’s official Twitter account, his representatives wrote “[w]e are heartbroken to announce the untimely death of our friend.”
— Ralphie May (@Ralphie_May) October 6, 2017
“Two days ago he won the Casino Comedian of the Year at the Global Gaming Expo,” the statement continued. “[He] had performances throughout the remainder of 2017 as part of his residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas.”
May, who broke out with several successful performances during the first season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2003, rose up in the ranks with many other wonderful comedians. Amy Schumer, Iliza Shlesinger, Felipe Esparza and more were all a part of the crop of comics who appearances on the program propelled them into the 2010s. Hence why so many of them (and others) reacted to the new of May’s death on Twitter and elsewhere.
It was a fun summer with you n biscuit. Safe next gig. Miss the shit out of you already. Xoxo n #RIP @Ralphie_May pic.twitter.com/MMmvlQjnA9
— Kathleen Madigan (@kathleenmadigan) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May. Dammit. You were a funny and sweet mofo man. Rest In Peace.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) October 6, 2017
This hurts too much. @Ralphie_May helped me so much. Rest In Peace. Thank you for all the love you have given me. Thank you for everything.
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) October 6, 2017
Damn. RIP Ralphie May. Comic warrior.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) 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
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
https://twitter.com/ErinADarling/status/916423970009751552
Whoa… man.. this sucks. Ralphie was a good guy & a very funny person. Condolences to his family & fans. https://t.co/M9s6bneAeA
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) October 6, 2017
Sad to hear about Ralphie. Didn't know him well but he was always generous when we'd cross paths. Loved comedy. Loved people. #RIPRalphieMay
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) October 6, 2017
So sad to hear about Ralphie. Sweet guy. He loved doing stand up and loved comedians. #RIPRalphieMay
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) October 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/jaymohr37/status/916420566210437120
This one hurts… Ralphie May was one of the good guys in this business full of phonies… He… https://t.co/eUcUXT5uEv
— Russell Peters (@therealrussellp) October 6, 2017
Damnit @Ralphie_May ! I'm so sad right now. Such a great guy. Rest well, friend. 😢😢😢
— Damon Wayans Yunior? (@wayansjr) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May RIP funny man. We shared good talks & good laughs . See you on the other side kid
— Jim Breuer (@JimBreuer) October 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/DanSoder/status/916404815416012800
Damn. Ralphie May was the first comic to take me out on road with him. He was always so kind and generous. This is real sad. R.I.P.
— Chris (@ChrisCubas) October 6, 2017
I love you @Ralphie_May rest in paradise my friend. Thank you for giving me my first break in hollywood.
— Jo Koy (@Jokoy) October 6, 2017
Pic is pretty damn sad. This is when we were in Vegas before our first Virus show. RIP Ralphie May, Otto and George and Patrice O'Neal. pic.twitter.com/LJMDn3HBsf
— Opie Radio podcast (@OpieRadio) October 6, 2017
Thank you, Ralphie May. You were a world-class comedian. pic.twitter.com/TGWpRcyQGH
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) October 6, 2017