Ricarlo Flanagan, ‘Last Comic Standing’ comedian, ‘Shameless’ actor, dies at 41

Ricarlo Flanagan, an actor, rapper and comedian featured on ”Last Comic Standing,” died Saturday at age 41.

His agent, Stu Golfman of KMR Talent, confirmed that Flanagan died weeks after contracting COVID-19, confirming to Variety that the comedian passed away due to complications of the illness.

“Ricarlo was of the nicest people I have ever met and a pleasure to work for. He will be missed dearly,” Golfman added.

Less than two weeks ago, Flanagan posted on his unverified Twitter account that “covid is no joke.”

“I don’t wish this on anybody,” Flanagan’s tweet added.

Fellow comics took to social media to pay tribute to Flanagan.

“Ricarlo Flanagan was one of the kindest people I knew. Knew, in past tense,” comedian and YouTuber Steve Hofstetter wrote. ”Please take this seriously. Please get vaccinated. Please wear a mask. This isn’t about ‘freedom’. This is about not wanting to lose people.”

“This really sucks,” stand-up comic Jeff Horste wrote alongside a photo of him with Flanagan. “One of the most sincere, supportive, and funniest humans I’ll ever know. Life isn’t fair. Tell your friends you love them.”

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Flanagan started pursuing comedy after graduating college in 2007, which eventually led him to move to Los Angeles and land a life-changing spot in Season 9 of “Last Comic Standing.”

He appeared in the semifinals of the reality series in 2015, after which he went on to play Davey on Showtime’s ”Shameless,” a recurring security guard on Disney Channel’s sitcom “Walk the Prank,” and made cameos in HBO’s “Insecure” and the CBS sitcom “The Neighborhood.”

Along with stand-up and acting, Flanagan was also a rapper who performed under the name Father Flanagan. He dropped his debut album “Death of Davinchi” in 2010 and recently released the song “Hope Your Proud” in 2020.