'A shocking, horrible loss': Comedy world reacts to the unexpected death of Kevin Barnett

Raechal Shewfelt
·Editor, Yahoo Entertainment


Tuesday’s news that comedian Kevin Barnett has died shocked and saddened fans.

Barnett, 32, was one of the co-creators and writers behind the new Fox show Rel. His career also included writing and producing The Carmichael Show and writing for Broad City. He was reportedly working on multiple things at the time of his death.

Deadline broke the news, reporting that Barnett was vacationing in Mexico at the time. A rep for Barnett did not immediately respond to Yahoo’s request for comment.

His agency, Comedy Central and Fox confirmed his death.

“Our hearts are broken, as are those of everyone at Rel, at the news of Kevin Barnett’s passing,” Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company said in a statement. “He was an incredibly funny, wildly talented man who had so much more to do and so many more stories to tell. We send our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this difficult time.”

Ben Kissel, Barnett’s co-host on the podcast “Round Table of Gentlemen,” offered some touching words.

Barnett was young, but he had obviously won over many people while working as a comic doing standup and also writing for television. Here are some of the reactions from his famous, grief-stricken fans.

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