Stand-up comedian John Mulrooney has died. He was 67.
Mulrooney was found dead inside his home in Coxsackie, New York, on Monday, December 29, according to the Albany Times-Union. The outlet further reported that he “died suddenly,” though an official cause of death has not been revealed.
“I’m just stunned,” close friend Steve Van Zandt told the newspaper of Mulrooney’s death. “To talk to somebody less than two weeks ago, and he had mentioned what he was doing for Christmas, and he was looking forward to 2026 because he had a pretty full calendar. It’s all so unexpected. It’s still sinking in.”
Mulrooney’s obituary referred to him as a “beloved stand-up comedian, dedicated public servant and proud patriot.”
“Born and raised in Brooklyn, John came from a large, loving, boisterous family. He grew up in Holy Cross parish in Flatbush, where his extended family included his Irish-immigrant grandparents and scores of cousins,” the obituary began. “He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, where some after-school scuffles inspired him to fight in the Golden Gloves. He began his career in comedy in the 1980s at Pips in Sheepshead Bay and went on to become a veteran of the stand-up comedy world.”
Throughout his career, Mulrooney performed on Comedy Tonight, The Late Show, Comic Strip Live and other standup specials via HBO, Showtime, A&E and Comedy Central.
“John also proudly performed multiple times for U.S. service members overseas, participating in USO tours throughout the Middle East,” the obituary continued. “Those performances were among his proudest moments, allowing him to give back to the men and women serving far from home and to bring moments of laughter and relief in challenging environments.”
Mulrooney, who also cohosted several popular morning radio shows across New York and Ohio, found a second career in law enforcement. He worked as a police officer from 2010 to 2024.
“He became a sought-after performer for police and fire department fundraisers across the country, using comedy to support first responders and the communities they protect,” the statement noted. “John Mulrooney will be remembered as much for being a loyal friend to countless people as for the laughter he brought to a multitude of strangers. His voice, his stories and his spirit will continue to echo in the lives of those he touched.”
Mulrooney is survived by his parents, siblings and 10 nieces and nephews.
“Family was the constant thread in his life — his source of strength, humor, and grounding,” the obituary concluded. “He spoke of them often with immense love and pride.”
Many of Mulrooney’s friends have since shared their condolences via social media.
“I am sad to say, John passed away last night [on the] same day as my own dad‘s birthday,” comedian Andrew Dice Clay wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, December 30. “Johnny was tall, good-looking, an ex-boxer, he also had the ingredients [and] the discipline to get up there every night, the drive, the want and willingness to go through whatever it had to be to claw his way to the top. After Joan Rivers left a late night show there were a few different hosts, one of them was JOHN! The other one was ARSINIO HALL. John did a great job, even had me on the show.”
Seinfeld alum Brad Garrett responded in the comments section of Clay’s “beautiful tribute,” adding, “Sorry for your loss. He was a funny cat. Glad you were pals. Sending you and his family love and comfort.”