Comedian Chris Cotton has passed away at the age of 32, ahead of the birth of his first child.
The US-based performer’s cause of death is yet to be publicly released, however a statement from Comedy Central confirmed his passing on Wednesday.
‘We’re devastated by the loss of Chris Cotton – a hilarious comedian, a beloved member of the Comedy Central family and a joy to be around,’ a post on the network’s Twitter read. ‘He will be missed.’
Tributes have poured in for the beloved comedian, who appeared in and wrote for the network’s chat show Every Damn Day. He also hosted red carpet coverage for the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis, which happened in July last year.
Chris was set to become a father in February, with wife Erica, who he married in May 2011, expecting the couple’s first baby in the new year.
To help Erica and their unborn baby, an official GoFundMe page has been set up by friends, which has so far raised over $33,000 (£25,000).
Fellow comedians have voiced their shock and sadness at the tragic passing, with Dave Attell writing: ‘What a terrible night, I am still in shock over the loss of Chris Cotton..he was young, fun and had so much left to do…..Its tragic. My heart goes out to his family. [sic]’
**explicit language in the video below**
Hannibal Buress wrote: ‘A few weeks ago Chris Cotton randomly hit me up to thank me for a gig I got him YEARS ago that led to some other work for him.
‘I was in the middle of booking Isola Fest and booked him during the call. I was psyched to see him this weekend. RIP.’
A few weeks ago Chris Cotton randomly hit me up to thank me for a gig I got him YEARS ago that led to some other work for him.
I was in the middle of booking Isola Fest and booked him during the call. I was psyched to see him this weekend. RIP. https://t.co/Ge5SdSIb8O pic.twitter.com/1bkO1SKFil
— Hannibal Buress (@hannibalburess) December 12, 2019
Writer Michelle Biloon added: ‘What a total sh** year. Philly lost a great comic and a truly great person. My heart goes out to the family of Chris Cotton and all those close to him.’
‘Chris Cotton was a beautiful person with so much love to give,’ The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon writer Nate Dern wrote. ‘Everyone loved him instantly. He regularly made me laugh so hard that I cried.’
Cotton additionally appeared in the 2017 TV movie Diwal’oween and the 2015 web series Carpool Rules, as well as Gotham Comedy Live.
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