The Sad Clown Richard Jeni

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The Associated Press · Posted: Mar 12, 2007 9:04 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 12, 2007

Richard Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds, was a regular on The Tonight Show and appeared in movies, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent suicide, police said Sunday.

Police found the comic alive but gravely injured in a West Hollywood home when they responded to a call Saturday morning from Jeni's girlfriend, Los Angeles police officer Norma Eisenman said.

Eisenman said the caller told police: "My boyfriend shot himself in the face."

Jeni, who according to police was 49 years old, died at a nearby hospital.

Eisenman said suicide had not been officially confirmed and the investigation was continuing. An autopsy on Jeni was to be done Monday, said Lieut. Fred Corral from the investigation division of the coroner's office.

Jeni regularly toured the United States with a standup act and had starred in several HBO comedy specials, most recently A Big Steaming Pile of Me during the 2005-06 season.

Another HBO special, Platypus Man, won a Cable ACE award for best standup comedy special and formed the basis for Jeni's UPN sitcom of the same name, which ran for one season.

Jeni's movie credits included The Mask, in which he played Jim Carrey's best friend, The Aristocrats, National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off and An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn.

He had guest appearances in the TV shows Everybody Hates Chris, Married: With Children and updated versions of the game shows Hollywood Squares and Match Game.

Frazer Smith, a standup comedian who often opened for Jeni and the emcee at the Ice House, where Jeni often performed, said young comedians looked up to him.

"He was probably one of the best standup comedians in the last 50 years," said Smith. "He had tons and tons of material. He was looked up to by all the young comedians, a total pro."

'A total pro'

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