Patrice O'Neal

As a huge, loud, black guy, Patrice is definitely intimidating but hands down one of the top five comedians in my book.  His uncut and unapologetic style of comedy that covers race, sex, the differences in men and women may seem like cliché topics, but the way in which he goes about discussing them is so refreshing.  He tells it like it is, not for the sake of being shocking or different, but because that’s just how he is, and when a person just let’s who they are on stage there’s such a natural flow to the way that they speak and carry themselves. 

Unfortunately, this great, hilarious comedian passed away on October 19, 2011 from a stroke.  It’s frustrating to see such a fantastic comedian pass away while the Aziz Ansari’s and other lame, alternative comics are still floating around.  Patrice really didn’t give a fuck about producers and executives and gave up on singing and dancing for a role in Hollywood which is why he didn’t get as much work as he should have, but he made it work and got the cult following that he deserves.  At least now, there are only die-hard Patrice fans, and no followers. If you go to Patriceoneal.com you can buy his specials and all the money goes to his family.

Also, check out his last special he wrote, Elephant in the Room. 

 I'm not sure if the money goes to his family like the above specials

 but it is one of the funniest hours I have every seen.
(click the title on the top part of the video screen to view it on youtube because it won't work here)

Here’s part 1 of a fan-made documentary by MichiefMaker37 on youtube, I highly recommend it. R.I.P. Patrice.