Garry Shandling, RIP
Well, shit. 2016 has already had more than its fair share of death, and we’re sad learn that comedy great Garry Shandling has died. TMZ reports that Shandling died Thursday afternoon at an L.A. hospital of a massive heart attack, with no prior warning. He was healthy and talking to people this morning.
Born in Chicago, and raised in Tucson, Shandling began doing standup in the ’70s and wrote for Sanford & Son, Welcome Back Kotter, and was one of Johnny Carson’s guest-hosts on The Tonight Show. He then created two of the best and most influential television comedies of the last 30 years: the groundbreaking (and fourth-wall-breaking) It’s Garry Shandling’s Show in the ’80s, and then the entertainment industry-skewering The Larry Sanders Show in the ’90s.
Garry, you’ll really be missed. Rest in peace. Garry’s episode of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is great (and more than a little sad given some of the topics they discuss) and well worth watching. He actually says, “at my funeral what I want is an actual boxing referee to do a count, and at five, just wave it off, saying ‘He’s not getting up.’ Watch the whole thing here.
Some classic clips from It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and The Larry Sanders, as well some stand-up video and many many tribute tweets, below.
UPDATE: Conan O’Brien dedicated his entire Thursday night monologue to Garry, and you can watch that below.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JCf3r6NmfI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgQXNXu89gk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-x8JVX4EKI
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/713117416990093313
A bittersweet statement from @JuddApatow on the passing of @GarryShandling: pic.twitter.com/Zo0QyHAQbI
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) March 24, 2016
R.I.P. Garry Shandling. I am so saddened to hear this. Brilliantly funny and such a great guy. He will be so missed.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) March 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/713112882716626944
https://twitter.com/amyschumer/status/713102939158499329
Gary Shandling was often funny when he was serious. And when he was actually going for it – unparalleled. Bless his soul.
— james l. brooks (@canyonjim) March 24, 2016
The great Garry Shandling's work is such a touchstone for me that I was actually discussing him moments before I heard the sad news. RIP
— Stephen Merchant (@StephenMerchant) March 24, 2016
RIP Garry Shandling. #Irreplaceable
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) March 24, 2016
I can't believe this. Very sad to say goodbye so abruptly. https://t.co/F89LbZXaER
— Mr. Bob Odenkirk (@mrbobodenkirk) March 24, 2016
Heartbreaking news about Garry Shandling. Just heartbreaking.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) March 24, 2016
Sunday, my longtime friend Garry Shandling was here, making every1 laugh. I loved him. I'll miss our talks the most. pic.twitter.com/Ud8AQXNBXN
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 24, 2016
Absolutely can't process the loss of Garry Shandling. Such a genius, such a wonderful man, such an inspiration. I was so honored to know him
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 24, 2016
Dammit. He was the best. So sad. RIP Garry Shandling
— marc maron (@marcmaron) March 24, 2016
RIP the great Garry Shandling. Surely, one of the most influential comedians of a generation.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) March 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/JAdomian/status/713100034242285568
https://twitter.com/paulscheer/status/713099483324612608
