Mike DeStefano, a finalist last season on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, died of a massive heart attack Sunday. His MySpace page lists him as 44.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a dear friend, a true gentleman, a great comic, and a fierce warrior, Mike DeStefano,” his rep said in a statement to
TMZ. “Mike had a lot of wisdom to share with the world from his own life lessons and he always did it with laughter and a smile. It’s hard to think that there won’t be any more “hey sweetheart” calls, because Mike always made my day with his mix of kindness and warmth AND profanity filled rants against the wrongs of the world. He was the genuine article. We love you and will miss you, Mike.”
The Bronx-born comic – who placed fourth on the NBC reality competition last season – had been clean for 11 years at the time of his death and was HIV positive.
He was set to perform his one-man show A Cherry Tree in the Bronx on Wednesday. He also recently wrapped up a slew of sold-out shows called Drugs, Disease and Death: A Comedy.
