
Comedian, writer, and actor Paul Mooney died on Wednesday, May 19. His daughter, Spring Mooney, announced his passing via Twitter earlier today.
Born Paul Gladney on August 4, 1941, he was known by his stage name Paul Mooney. Mooney got his professional start writing for Richard Pryor on numerous projects, including albums, films, and The Richard Pryor Show. In addition, Mooney was also the head writer for In Living Color season one and was an inspiration for one of the most iconic characters to come out of the show, Homey D. Clown.
Mooney served as a writer on Chappelle’s Show, while also appearing on camera for a few skits such as “Ask a Black Dude”, “Mooney at the Movies”, and “Negrodamus”.
Mooney continued writing and performing stand-up, even after it was announced he had prostate cancer in 2014. Mooney had a way of controlling the audience with his delivery and his no holds barred approach made him a hero to many in the comedy world.
