Mike DeStefano dead at age 44.

I’m not just saying this, but Mike was one of my favorites from this past season’s “Last Comic Standing”.  He was the tough guy from the Bronx, who was one of the finalist.  That tough guy shtick was no act, Mike was as tough as they come. His life was full of difficult circumstances which he continued to overcome. DeStefano was an HIV positive, former drug addict that lost his wife to the disease, which prompted him into a life of comedy.  It was said that the HIV was not affecting his body the way it does to most people.  Like I said, he really was a tough guy.

DeStefano performed a widely successful one man show Drugs, Diseases, and Death: A Comedy. It had just completed a sold-out run and was preparing for a remount at the time of his death.  In a somewhat eerie prediction he wrote on his website promoting the show, ““I might die tomorrow and you won’t get a chance to see my show, ‘Drugs, Disease and Death: A Comedy by Mike DeStefano.’ Then you’ll feel bad. Let’s avoid all that and buy tickets.”

The comedian’s rep released the following statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a dear friend, a true gentleman, a great comic, and a fierce warrior, Mike DeStefano. Mike had a lot of wisdom to share with the world from his own life lessons and he always did it with laughter and a smile.”

“It’s hard to think that there won’t be any more “hey sweetheart” calls, because Mike always made my day with his mix of kindness and warmth AND profanity filled rants against the wrongs of the world. He was the genuine article. We love you and will miss you, Mike.”

With all the ailments Mike was facing, he ultimately died from heart failure.

Another rising star has fallen.

Here is the bio from his website:

“I am a stand-up comic, Before that, I was a drug counselor. Before that, I was a drug addict. Before that, I was 12.”

As usual I’m Clip crazy so here is a bonus clip: