Comedian and actor, Paul Mooney has on Wednesday, May 19 died aged 79 after suffering a heart attack at his home in the United States.
Mooney died in Oakland at 5:30 a.m. local time after suffering a heart attack, his publicist confirmed to Daily News.
The trailblazing comedian famously worked with Gary Busey when he played Sam Cooke in The Buddy Holly Story.
Mooney– whose real name was Paul Gladney – was best known for his work as Negrodamus in Dave Chappelle’s Show.
He also stood out as Junebug in Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, however his first big job was as a writer for comedian Richard Pryor of Harlem Nights fame.
Mooney crafted jokes for Richard on Saturday Night Live before he became a writer on Live on Sunset Strip and Is It Something I Said albums.
The star is also credited with giving many other comedians, including Robin Williams their first break into show business.
In the 90s l, he worked as the head writer for Fox’s In Living Color and was the inspiration for the beloved character Homey D Clown, played by Damon Wayans.
As an actor, Mooney made appearances in Which Way Is Up?, Bustin’ Loose and Hollywood Shuffle.
The beloved comic released his memoir Black Is the New White in 2007.
Mooney, who’s been out of the public eye for a few years, had also reportedly been suffering from dementia for some time and was staying with a family member.
May his soul rest in peace.
