Comedic legend Paul Mooney has died.
He was 79.
The sad news was announced from Mooney’s official Twitter account on Wednesday. It reads: “Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts … you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – ONE MOON MANY STARS! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks.”
Mooney was best known for his roles on “Chappelle’s Show” and “Bamboozled,” as well as his portrayal of Sam Cooke in “The Buddy Holly Story.” Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Mooney eventually moved to Hollywood, where his flair for comedy and writing made television hits such as “Sanford and Son” and “Good Times” and “In Living Color” household favorites. Mooney also served as head writer on “The Richard Pryor Show.”
Mooney credited his grandmother for his sense of humor and wit.
“Humor. I mean, I learned it all from my grandmother. I mean, I got my sense of humor from my grandmother,” he told NRP in 2009. “You know, my grandmother was very funny. You know, she – and in the book [Black Is The New White], you’ll see, she used to sleep with a hammer, you know. So she was a funny person.”
The tributes to the star are already flooding social media. The entertainment world has lost another great. But Mooney’s legacy will be impossible to forget.
Earlier today, Professor Karen Hunter and Dr. Greg Carr discussed the life and career of Mooney. You can view the post below.
Rest in power, Paul Mooney.
