Comedian Brody Stevens Dead by Suicide at 48: ‘Another Singular Force of Nature Gone’
The consummate comedian’s comedian was found dead by apparent suicide on Friday.
Mathew Imaging / Getty
Yet another comedian is dead of an apparent suicide.
Brody Stevens, a beloved stand-up comic who was born with the name Steven Brody and grew up in California’s San Fernando Valley—”818 ‘til I die” he was known to say—was reportedly found hanging in his home early Friday afternoon. He was 48 years old.
Best known for his irreverent, energetic stand-up style full of positive affirmations, Stevens spent years warming up the crowd for Chelsea Handler’s E! series Chelsea Lately. He liked to remind club audiences about his brief appearances in the first two Hangover movies. And with his friend Zach Galifianakis he co-created a documentary series based on his life called Brody Stevens: Enjoy It! that first appeared on HBO GO in 2012 before making an extended run on Comedy Central the following year.
On Enjoy It!, Stevens explored his own struggles with bipolar disorder, including a 2011 arrest and hospitalization prompted by an infamous Twitter rant in which he told followers he was off his medication and had a gun in his mouth.
In a statement to The Daily Beast, his reps wrote, “Brody was an inspiring voice who was a friend to many in the comedy community. He pushed creative boundaries and his passion for his work and his love of baseball were contagious. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed. We respectfully ask for privacy at this time.”
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Following the news of his death on Friday, there was an outpouring of love, disbelief and devastation from his fellow comedians on that platform. He was, in many ways, the ultimate comedian’s comedian—not necessarily well known to the broader public, but adored and deeply respected by the comedy community.
If you are depressed or feeling suicidal please please please please please reach out to ANYONE. I never get to see Brody Stevens again I can’t stand this. #RIPBrodyStevens #818ForLife pic.twitter.com/n1jQhXdOIz
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 22, 2019
RIP to truly one of the best stand-ups, Steven Brody Stevens. You might not know of Brody, but he likely had an influence on your favorite comic. This was my favorite thing he did: https://t.co/2Ffiq3fD12
— Nikki Glaser (@NikkiGlaser) February 22, 2019
#RIPBrodyStevens he was so funny and weird and vulnerable and wild and kind. Every time he was onstage it was an adventure. Here’s some comics talking about what made him so special. https://t.co/wbUNaZgJ2f
— nick kroll (@nickkroll) February 22, 2019
Brody Stevens was singular. Nobody else like him.
— Jonah Ray Rodrigues (@jonahray) February 22, 2019
Always sweet and kind.
Always super hilarious.
He said to me last year: “I heard there’s a gif of us fist-bumping. You know computers, link it to me!”.
I searched for it and here it is. #RipBrodyStevens #818 pic.twitter.com/hMGCMvoeD7
Brody Stevens ~ Such a funny man. Such a good man. We need you and your comedy. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Loved Brody. Rest In Peace kind soul. @BrodyismeFriend
— bob saget (@bobsaget) February 22, 2019
RIP Brody Stevens. Nobody else was like him, on or off stage. Seeing him was always a joy. We’ll miss you Brody.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) February 22, 2019
Brody Stevens. Some insight. RIP https://t.co/Ik4kqhKVh6
— Doug Stanhope (@DougStanhope) February 22, 2019
Another singular force of nature gone. RIP Brody Stevens.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) February 22, 2019
Fucking fuck. Brody Stevens. Ugh. What a unique talent he was. Just so sad. So so sad. I feel terrible.
— )))David Cross((( (@davidcrosss) February 22, 2019
It feels so pathetic to do this on twitter but i don't know where else to. This is so sad , a real loss of a strange and genuine talent and sweet man. fuck im knocked for a loop. Brody Stevens was one of a kind.
— Moshe Kasher (@moshekasher) February 22, 2019
I love you so much Brody Stevens. Nobody has been nicer in comedy than you. My heart is shattered. pic.twitter.com/sOl9PLpxsd
— Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) February 22, 2019
So sad. I met Brody Stevens a few times and he was hilarious, original and genuine.
— Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) February 22, 2019
Anyone who feels themselves caught or in a hopeless place please, please reach out for help. Things can and will change. #RIPBrodyStevens
I’m so sad to learn that @BrodyismeFriend has died. An incredibly kind person and an exquisite comedian.
— Maria Bamford (@mariabamfoo) February 22, 2019
The comedy clubs will have “Make God Laugh” on their marquees 2nite like they always do when one of us ... I’m not sure God will GET Brody but his local references will be epic. Ugh. So sad. #818 #EnjoyIt #RIPBrodyStevens
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 23, 2019
Ps Brody would be so psyched about TMZ covering it
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