Comedian Robert Schimmel died last Friday from injuries sustained in a car accident on Aug 26. He was 60 years-old.
The comedian’s death was announced by his brother Jeff Schimmel on Facebook last Friday night.
“ROBERT SCHIMMEL. Son, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Comedian, Generous Man. I have always loved you, admired you, and was proud to be your biggest fan. I will never forget a single moment. R.I.P.”
The comedian best known for his appearances on The Howard Stern Show and HBO specials was traveling in a car driven by his 19-year-old daughter Aliyah, when she swerved to avoid an accident on I-10 in Phoenix, causing her vehicle to roll several times.
Schimmel who was in the passenger seat was seriously injured. His 11-year-old son who was also in the car was unhurt.
Ailyah remains hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery, said Schimmel’s spokesman, Howard Bragman
Schimmel’s life was anything but laughs, after surviving a heart attack in 1998, he was then diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After beating cancer, he announced in January of this year that he had contracted cirrhosis from a Hepatitis C infection he had gotten from a blood transfusion.
He was currently on the transplant list waiting for a new liver.
Throughout it all the comedian kept his fans updated on his medical condition with brutally honest Facebook and Twitter posts. His friends and fans always responded back with words of encouragement and love. Never doubting the comedians resilience and fortitude.
Since the news of his death broke, many of his fellow comedians took to Twitter to express their feelings about Schimmel’s passing:
“Robert Schimmel was one the first people in comedy to call when my folks were fighting cancer. No ego no bs no small talk just inspiration.” — @danecook
“I’m so sad about Robert Schimmel dying. I’ve been checking the news for 3 hours hoping it wasn’t true. He was very funny and wonderful.” — @PENNJILLETTE
“Robert Schimmel was one of the funniest and nicest guys in comedy.” — @jimmykimmel
“F********k. I loved that dude. He was SUCH a nice guy, and f***ing hilarious.” — @joerogan
RIP Robert Schimmel. Really funny. Really nice. Really will be missed. — @JimGaffigan
