Comedian Paul Mooney Dead At Age 79
Comedian Paul Mooney takes part in a discussion panel after the world premiere screening of "That's What I'm Talking About" at The Museum of Television & Radio January 30, 2006 in New York City.
Paul Mooney, the pioneering comic and actor, has died at the age of 79, his rep Cassandra Williams told The Hollywood Reporter.
According to his family, Mooney died at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning at his home in Oakland, California. The paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive him after he suffered a heart attack, gossip web site TMZ reports.
Mooney, who’s been out of the public eye for a few years, had also reportedly been suffering from dementia for some time and was staying with a family member, the gossip outlet reports.
Paul Mooney, born Paul Gladney, was a comedian, writer, social critic, television and film actor. He is best known as a writer for comedian Richard Pryor, playing singer Sam Cooke in The Buddy Holly Story, Junebug in Bamboozled, and his appearances on Chappelle’s Show.
Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.
