OBITUARY

Comedian Brody Stevens Dead at 48 of Suicide

2/22/2019 by Rania Aniftos

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
Comedian Brody Stevens performs at "The Eric Andre Show Live!" presented by Adult Swim and IHEARTCOMIX at The Satellite on May 31, 2012, in Los Angeles, California.

Brody Stevens has died of an apparent suicide by hanging. He was 48. The news was first reported by The Blast and then confirmed by Billboard.

According to The Blast, the comedian was found just before 1 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 22). He has been open about his struggle with mental health issues in the past and was hospitalized in 2011 after suffering a bipolar episode. 

“Brody was an inspiring voice who was a friend to many in the comedy community," his reps said in a statement. "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.”

Stevens was a popular comedian around the Los Angeles area, frequently performing sets at Hollywood clubs including the Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory. He was best known for his jokes about the San Fernando Valley -- or the "818" as he proudly called it. He also played a small role in 2009's The Hangover as a police officer calling the arrested main characters "loserville." He later created his own Comedy Central series Brody Stevens: Enjoy It! with his friend and Hangover co-star Zach Galifianakis.

Following the news of his death, a number of his famous fellow comedians, including Bob Saget and Whitney Cummings, took to social media to express grief over the loss of their friend. See their reactions below.