Comedian Ralphie May died Friday at the age of 45, drawing an outpouring of tributes from fellow stand-up comics, who remembered him as a “funny man,” a “sweetheart of a guy” and a “comic warrior.”
“Wow …. I was just told that Ralphie May passed,” Kevin Hart tweeted. “I’m truly saddened by this. He was a good dude. Heaven just got another funny angel RIP man.”
The Chattanooga, Tennessee-born comic’s death was reported on his Facebook page.
“We are heartbroken to announce the untimely death of our friend, Ralphie May,” the post read. “Ralphie had been battling pneumonia and had cancelled a handful of dates over the last month in an effort to recover. Earlier this morning at a private residence in Las Vegas his body was discovered, cause of death is cardiac arrest.”
Word of the popular comedian’s death drew tributes from all sides of the comedy world.
“Oh man fellow comedian and friend Ralphie May just died,” tweeted Larry the Cable Guy. “So crazy. RIP Ralphie. You my friend were one of the nicest and kindest out there.”
Comedian Marc Maron tweeted: “Damn. RIP Ralphie May. Comic warrior.”
May got his big break on “Last Comic Standing” in 2003, and quickly became a regular featured comic on Comedy Central. He was known for his non-stop touring and was the resident comedian at Harrah’s Las Vegas.
He won the Casino Comedian of the Year at the Global Gaming Expo, according to his Facebook page.
“As his manager and his friend, I will miss his laugh, his generosity to fellow comedians, his trademark orneriness, and his enormous love of life,” his manager, Judi Marmel, told TMZ. “He left us entirely too soon — and we can only wonder where his comedy might have taken all of us. We send our love to his family, his fans, and all the comics who shared stages with him across the country.”
A few years ago, May tweeted about his own death, saying “I hope when I die people make jokes about me, don’t cry for me.”
And many of his fellow standups were happy to oblige in their tributes.
“I came home tonight and ate everything in my kitchen and then tried to tell myself it was in honor of Ralphie May,” comedian Bonnie McFarlane tweeted.
“I was putting in a pool but decided to let the hole we dug be Ralphies final resting place,” Christopher Titus tweeted. “We are going to have an eternal cheese fountain.”
Wow....I was just told that Ralphie May passed. I'm truly saddened by this. He was a good dude. Heaven just got another funny angel RIP man
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) October 6, 2017
So sad to hear about Ralphie. Sweet guy. He loved doing stand up and loved comedians. #RIPRalphieMay
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) October 6, 2017
Oh NO. Ralphie May, comedian. RIP. As much fun to hang out with as he was to watch. GODDAMIT.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 6, 2017
Whoa... man.. this sucks. Ralphie was a good guy & a very funny person. Condolences to his family & fans. https://t.co/M9s6bneAeA
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) October 6, 2017
Watching some @Ralphie_May stuff right now that I had recorded way back when we performed at the @TheLaughFactory together. Man. He crushed.
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) October 6, 2017
I'm saddened by the loss of Ralphie May. Thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans.
— Brian Regan (@BrianReganComic) October 7, 2017
Ralphie May. Dammit. You were a funny and sweet mofo man. Rest In Peace.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) October 6, 2017
It was a fun summer with you n biscuit. Safe next gig. Miss the shit out of you already. Xoxo n #RIP @Ralphie_May pic.twitter.com/MMmvlQjnA9
— Kathleen Madigan (@kathleenmadigan) October 6, 2017
Shit man, I may end up literally the last comic standin' and whatnot. Farewell, Ralphie May. pic.twitter.com/hYiJcE2kb4
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) October 6, 2017
I'm at a loss for words to hear about the passing of comedian Ralfie May. He was a friend to many and a father of 2 beautiful children. RIP😞 pic.twitter.com/nGsq63xN0c
— G a b r i e l - I g l e s i a s (@fluffyguy) October 6, 2017
Met Ralphie May 1997ish He said “I’m doin a talk show pilot w Jeff Ross as host. I said “whats ur role? & he replied “I play the audience”
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) October 7, 2017
Such awful news about Ralphie May passing. He was a sweet guy and a great comic. 45 is too fucking young. So so sad. RIP Ralphie...
— ʞɔiwbɿɒH ꙅiɿʜƆ (@hardwick) October 6, 2017
With @realjeffreyross . RIP @Ralphie_May pic.twitter.com/ybAoQ0fk6x
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) October 7, 2017
oh ralphie may ... I will miss u pic.twitter.com/9vRI8FfTbz
— ROSIE (@Rosie) October 7, 2017
I loved Ralphie with all my heart. We shared a wonderful life and made beautiful children together.
— Lahna Turner (@LahnaTurner) October 7, 2017
I selected this photo because Ralphie looks like an angel with a halo. pic.twitter.com/vsnSIpgcIp
— Lahna Turner (@LahnaTurner) October 6, 2017
I came home tonight and ate everything in my kitchen and then tried to tell myself it was in honor of Ralphie May.
— Bonnie McFarlane (@bonniemcfarlane) October 7, 2017
NO! #RalphieMay was such a nice guy! Last time we talked backstage at @zaniesnashville I promised to put him in the Jay/Bob movie. Dammit... https://t.co/zrljotClGr
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) October 6, 2017
It has been a very sad week indeed. Funny mofo #RalphieMay You will be sorely missed! #standup #comedy pic.twitter.com/vVCOO0NBMw
— Chris Kattan (@ChrisKattan) October 6, 2017
RIP my brother & friend @Ralphie_May. Just devastated.
— Felipe Esparza (@funnyfelipe) October 6, 2017
I feel for his kids. Last time I saw him was at my wedding. pic.twitter.com/de2T5I9nsh
RIP to my buddy Ralphie May.... so young, so sad... was always super nice and gracious to me...really sad loss for comedy
— Big Jay Oakerson (@bigjayoakerson) October 7, 2017
RIP @Ralphie_May. I'm glad we got to spend some time together in Nashville recently. He was a sweet guy, really funny comic.
— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) October 7, 2017
#RIPRalphie #RalphieMay he and I did several dates together and he made me feel like he was a seasoned gangster of a comedian and I was...
— t.j. miller (@nottjmiller) October 7, 2017
...under his wing. Because he was and he did take me under a wing, have wings with me, a smoke, and taught me how to make people comfortable
— t.j. miller (@nottjmiller) October 7, 2017
How to let everyone feel that it’s okay- that this moment is easy and fun. He really was one of my favorites, & the best weed. #RIPRalphie
— t.j. miller (@nottjmiller) October 7, 2017
Very sad to learn of Ralphie May's passing. We always had a blast, such a nice, funny dude. Another comedy brother taken too soon. RIP pal.
— Brian Posehn (@thebrianposehn) October 7, 2017
My friend Ralphie. 20 years I knew this fool. Great stand up. Great person. Goodbye friend. pic.twitter.com/VkJHRhRnu3
— Nick Swardson (@NickSwardson) October 7, 2017
RIP Ralphie May, gone too soon. 🙏
— Billy Gardell (@BillyGardell) October 7, 2017
Big Man
— Greg Morton (@GregMortonComic) October 7, 2017
Bigger Heart
Those who have met him,
Never forget him
RIP #RalphieMay
You will be missed brother. pic.twitter.com/JhVGmh6gvL
RIP Ralphie May. Another comedian gone. Lost a lot of great comics this year.
— Gary Owen (@garyowencomedy) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May RIP funny man. We shared good talks & good laughs . See you on the other side kid
— Jim Breuer (@JimBreuer) October 6, 2017
Damn. RIP Ralphie May. Comic warrior.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) October 6, 2017
We reposted the @WTFpod with Ralphie May. RIP https://t.co/TRZkCfIIIs
— marc maron (@marcmaron) October 7, 2017
Oh man fellow comedian and friend Ralphie May just died. So crazy. RIP Ralphie. You my friend were one of the nicest and kindest out there.
— Larry The Cable Guy (@GitRDoneLarry) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May was a sweetheart of a guy and I’m going to miss him. https://t.co/OQE9kThpPo
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) October 6, 2017
I love you @Ralphie_May rest in paradise my friend. Thank you for giving me my first break in hollywood.
— Jo Koy (@Jokoy) October 6, 2017
I hope when I die people make jokes about me, don't cry for me. Life is great.
— Ralphie May (@Ralphie_May) December 5, 2013
I was putting in a pool but decided to let the hole we dug be Ralphies final resting place. We are going to have an eternal cheese fountain. https://t.co/CMowMhXWBG
— Titus (@TitusNation) October 7, 2017
Good find. https://t.co/HAPofD2oVU
— Doug Stanhope (@DougStanhope) October 7, 2017
God, I hope I really said that. https://t.co/Ika9nq7jJo
— Doug Stanhope (@DougStanhope) October 7, 2017
Thank you, Ralphie May. You were a world-class comedian. pic.twitter.com/TGWpRcyQGH
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) October 6, 2017