Rik Mayall Dead At 56
Comedian Rik Mayall, who starred in the cult classic Drop Dead Fred, has died.
The BBC has reported Rik Mayall’s death, but few details are currently available.
Per the site, Mayall was beloved by audiences for his roles in classic TV hits:
“He played the obnoxious, poetry-writing anarchist Rick in The Young Ones alongside his friend, Adrian Edmonson… The duo later went on to star in Bottom and he was also known for appearances in shows including Blackadder and The New Statesman.”
While details of his passing are not yet clear, the BCC also reports that Mayall was injured in a 1998 accident and that the incident was nearly fatal.
Mayall later joked of the quad bike crash after lingering in a five-day coma, quipping:
“I beat Jesus Christ… He was dead for three days at Easter. When I crashed it was the day before Good Friday, Crap Thursday, and I was technically dead until Easter Monday – that’s five days… beat him 5-3.”
Over on Twitter, several celebrities have commented on the death of Mayall. Comedian Rory Bremner said:
“Oh no. Awful news about Rik Mayall – a fireball of creative comic energy and inspiration. Such brilliant raw talent.”
Writer Tony Parsons posted to Twitter:
“Rotten news about the death of Rik Mayall – decades too soon… He taught a generation to laugh at the world – and ourselves. Rik Mayall, RIP.”
Fans also paid tribute to the actor and comic, recalling some of his funniest moments:
Oh god. Rik Mayall made me cry with laughter so many times. His response to an autograph hunter is a favourite: http://t.co/wQfjQguZjF
— Letters of Note (@LettersOfNote) June 9, 2014
i havent felt as genuinely sad about a comedian dying since Chris Farley. Rik Mayall dies aged 56 #wevoloution http://t.co/1eCnwClEY7
— Sean Lynch (@ThatLynchyGuy) June 9, 2014
Back in 2010, Mayall posted a single (swear-containing) tweet to Twitter, which many retweeted this morning as the sad news circulated:
Opening my very own Twitter to stop another bastard from doing it. So fuck off & don't expect to hear from me any time soon. Love Rik x
— Rik Mayall (@rikmayall) April 13, 2010
The news was confirmed by Brunskill Management, the actor’s management group, and in a statement they said:
“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rik Mayall who passed away this morning… We will be issuing a further statement in the fullness of time.”
The actor was 56, and Rik Mayall’s cause of death has yet to be disclosed by his management. He is survived by a wife, Barbara, and three children.
[Image: Rick Mayall, Drop Dead Fred]
