Patrice O'Neal obituary: stand-up comic and actor dies at 41

Patrice O’Neal dies at 41; stand-up comic and actor

1/5

A legendary producer, director and impresario of the Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates restored the luster to the Academy Awards telecasts, recruiting hosts such as Billy Crystal and Steve Martin. He was 77. Full obituary

Notable film and television deaths of 2011 (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)

2/5

The Oscar-nominated art director was best known for her work on “The Last Picture Show” and “Paper Moon,” both directed by former husband Peter Bogdanovich. She also was an executive in filmmaker James L. Brooks’ company. She was 72. Full obituary

Notable film and television deaths of 2010 (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

3/5

The comedy writer and producer created “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch. “ He also wrote the memorable theme-song lyrics for both the wacky tale of a shipwrecked “three-hour tour” and the story of the marriage between a “lovely lady” with three daughters and “a man named Brady” with three sons. Above, Schwartz in 2008 receives kisses from Florence Henderson, who played Mrs. Brady, and Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on “Gilligan’s Island.” He was 94. Full obituary

Notable film and television deaths of 2011 (Nick Ut / Associated Press)

4/5

The composer won five Oscars for films such as “Born Free” and “Out of Africa” and scored Bond films including “Goldfinger,” “Diamonds Are Forever” and “From Russia With Love.” His work on the Bond franchise put him in the forefront of music composers. He was 77. Full obituary

Notable film and television deaths of 2010 (Dave Hogan / Getty Images)

5/5

The British director earned Academy Award nominations for “Breaking Away” and “The Dresser.” “Bullitt” was Yates’ American directing debut. It starred Steve McQueen as a detective and featured a memorable car chase on the streets of San Francisco with McQueen at the wheel of a Mustang. He was 81. Full obituary

Notable film and television deaths of 2010 (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

By From Los Angeles Times staff and wire reports

Nov. 30, 2011 12 AM PT

Patrice O’Neal, 41, a veteran stand-up comic who gained a wider following through TV and radio and helped roast Charlie Sheen in September, died Tuesday from complications of a stroke he suffered last month. O’Neal’s manager, Jonathan Brandstein, said he died at a New York-area hospital.

O’Neal grew up in Boston and started his stand-up career there. He appeared on Conan O’Brien and David Letterman’s late-night TV shows and was a frequent guest on the “Opie & Anthony” radio show on Sirius XM.

His performance was a highlight of the Comedy Central roast of Sheen, who had been fired from the hit CBS comedy “Two and a Half Men.”

O’Neal had half-hour specials on Showtime and HBO and was the host of “Web Junk 20” on VH1. He also acted in the TV series “Arrested Development,” “Chappelle’s Show” and “The Office.”

O’Neal, who was 6 feet 5, weighed about 300 pounds and had diabetes, suffered a stroke Oct. 19.

news.obits@latimes.com