This week we are sticking with the world of comedy for out Awesome Fat Guy of the Week. I wasn't going to highlight another comedian so quickly but fate intervened. Sadly this week saw the death of a very funny man. Today I pay my respects to Patrice O'Neal.
Patrice Lumumba Malcolm O'Neal was born on December 7, 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents named him after Patrice Lumumba, the leader of the Congolese Independence movement. O'Neal was a star football player in high school. As his high school career ended he had 3 letters in varsity football, and a state championship. He went to Northeastern University and majored in Performing Arts.
O'Neal started his comedy career in Boston at an open mic night at Estelle's Bar and Grill in October 1992. He moved to New York City, in the late 1990s, where he was a regular at the Comedy Cellar. Eventually he moved to Los Angeles, in the hopes of finding greater fame. More than anything Patrice wanted to achieve success on his terms. This led him to walk away from a number of successful shows like The Office, and Arrested Development. He also left a writing job with the WWE for similar reasons.
Tired of fighting against the demands of American Club owners O'Neal relocated to the United Kingdom. He had to work much harder as an outsider and a foreigner to gain the respect of his peers, which he did. Early on he caught the eye of Ricky Gervais, who often cited O'Neal as one of his favorite comics. O'Neal returned to New York, in 2002 when he got the offer to do his first half-hour special for Showtime. Later that year he joined the cast of The Colin Quinn Show and then Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. He ended the year by recording a Comedy Central Presents.
O'Neal has had many guest appearances on TV in his career. His first television appearance was on the Apollo Comedy Hour. He followed that up with appearances on Showtime at the Apollo, Apt 2F, Assy McGee, Ed, Z Rock, Yes, Dear, Chappelle Show, and starred in Shorties watching Shorties with Nick DiPaolo. He also did voice over work for O'Grady High and appeared in Denis Leary's Searchlight. In 2005, O'Neal filmed a One Night Stand special for HBO. Shortly after which he hosted the first two seasons of VH1's Web Junk 20. He left the show because he felt it's audience was to different from his own.
After moving back to New York in 2002, O'Neal became a recognized radio personality. He was a frequent guest and occasional co-host of the Opie and Anthoney show. For two year O'Neal hosted a call-in relationship advice show for XM Radio. He has also appeared on Alex Jones, The Howard Stern Show, and many Fox News talk shows. He continued to perform in New York City's local comedy clubs including headlining at Comix Comedy Club and Caroline's. In February 2011, Comedy Central aired his first hour-long special, Elephant in the Room. On September 19, 2011. Patrice was one of the roaster at the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen. It would be his last television appearance before his death. Shortly after his passing BSeen Media announced the release of his first album to released in February 2012.
Patrice O'Neal's racially and sexually charged comedy made him somewhat controversial. He was also known for provoking his audience. He was known to encourage people to leave his shows and even paid them to do so. Patrice was an incredibly funny man who had an amazing work ethic. He was not willing to bend to other peoples opinions, and even went out of his way to go against them. He was unique and successful because of that. He also wore the Fuck out of some awesome hats. He was an Awesome Fat Guy and will be missed. Rest In Peace Patrice.
Below you will find the complete Elephant in the Room special. It is NSFW. If you can watch it, do.
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