Courtesy of Kenny DeForest/Instagram
Comedian Kenny DeForest has died at the age of 37 as a result of a bicycle accident.
DeForest's friend Ryan Beck announced the news via a GoFundMe page, writing, “Kenny DeForest has and has had a truly positive impact on all the lives he touched.” Kenny died on Wednesday, December 13th at Kings County Hospital surrounded by his parents , Family and friends. Kenny’s final moments included some of his favorite songs, stories from his childhood and memories of his great positivity and joy for life.”
The stand-up comedian was in an e-bike accident on Friday, December 8, which required neurological surgery to “remove part of his skull” and relieve pressure from a brain bleed. The fundraiser was created to help DeForest's family cover the cost of his medical bills. Backers have already surpassed the $150,000 goal.
“Kenny’s influential life continues through organ donation. Even in death, he will continue to make meaningful improvements in the lives of others,” Beck concluded in his emotional statement.
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DeForest's family and friends initially believed the accident was due to a collision between his bike and a car, according to Deadline. However, the EMS report and conversations with a nearby border guard led DeForest's family to believe that he was riding an e-bike and crashed near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York.
An EMS report was filed, but police were not called to the scene.
“We received additional information from an EMS report today. Kenny was riding an e-bike and fell. “I spoke to border guards in the area today and am still looking for more information,” Beck told Deadline on Friday, December 15. “There is no police report because, as initially assumed, it was not a hit-and-run.”
DeForest rose to fame as a comedian and writer with appearances on shows such as The Late Late Show With James Corden and Late Night With Seth Meyers. In 2015, DeForest was part of Comedy Central's Comics to Watch and a year later was named one of the 50 Funniest People in Brooklyn by Brooklyn Magazine.
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Before his death, DeForest released a debut album with Comedy Dynamics entitled BAD Dreams. He also appeared in the TruTV series “Friends of the People” and the HBO series “Crashing.”
The official Late Night With Seth Meyers social media account posted a tribute to DeForest on Thursday, December 14th. “Kenny DeForest was a well-loved comedian who died tragically and far too young,” the statement said. “His relaxed, confident manner was always outstanding. As you can see from his debut late night set on LNSM, he wasn't afraid to tackle controversial topics, but he was never just nervous – always in service of an original perspective and a great joke. It’s a shame we won’t get to see what he comes up with next.”