Variety reported that Paul Mooney, a comedian, died of a heart attack on May 19 at the age of 79. Cassandra Williams, who worked for Mooney, told Variety that Mooney had died at his home in Oakland, California.
More information was not available right away, but TMZ said that Mooney had been living with dementia and was staying with a family member. His team posted on Twitter, “We want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. You’re the best! Crazy World.
The Godfather of Comedy — One Moon, Multiple Stars! Many thanks to everyone who loves this great man.” Mooney was known for his work as the head writer of “The Richard Pryor Show.”
He also wrote for Pryor’s comedy albums and TV shows like “Sanford and Son,” “Good Times,” “In Living Color,” “Pryor’s Place,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Chappelle’s Show,” and more.
He is known for playing Sam Cooke in “The Buddy Holly Story” and “Bamboozled” by Spike Lee. His most recent role was in 2016’s “Meet the Blacks” (via Variety). Paul Gladney was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dwayne Mooney, Daryl Mooney, Shane Mooney, and Symeon Mooney are his four children (via Insider).
How to Know About Prostate Cancer
The American Cancer Society says that about one in eight men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. The disease starts in the prostate gland, which is shaped like a walnut and is between the rectum and the bladder. This gland makes the fluid that keeps sperm healthy.
The disease has a lot of different, hard-to-pin-down symptoms. Dr. Edwin Posadas, director of translational oncology and medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai, says that prostate cancer is a strange disease because it doesn’t have any specific symptoms.
But changes in urinary function, like going to the bathroom more or less often or waking up more often at night to go, could be signs of the disease. But it’s important to keep in mind that these symptoms could also come from a urinary tract infection or an enlarged prostate gland (which is not cancer).
Expert doctors who spoke with SurvivorNet were optimistic about a prostate cancer diagnosis because there are many ways to treat it and treatment has come a long way in the past ten years.
Options like surgery and radiation, for example, have gotten better at reducing side effects while still having high cure rates. Even for men with prostate cancer in an advanced stage, there are many new ways to treat it and keep their quality of life high.
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What do people say about his death on Twitter?
People started to say nice things about him on social media. Comedy Central tweeted, “He was brutally funny and brutally honest. Paul Mooney, thank you.”
Funch, who hosted Chopped 420, wrote, “RIP to the legend “miss thang” Paul Mooney. “I learned so much from you. Meeting you was strange and wonderful at the same time.”
Paul Mooney leaves behind four kids.
Paul and Yvonne Mooney got married in 1973, but they later split up. (Paul was last linked to Shaka Khan in a romantic way in 2018.) Paul and Yvonne have four kids: Shane, Dwayne, and Daryl, who are twins, and Spring, who is their only daughter.
Paul had a fifth child, a son named Symeon. He was killed in 2001, and police said it was a murder. His twin sons Dwayne and Darryl also went into comedy like their father. Paul wrote in a 2019 tweet, “My four children are my best friends.”
Paul Mooney. A comedy giant. I recall listening to his RACE album in college and how formative it was. Yeah, the jokes. But more so, the freedom. He spoke freely and fearlessly about feelings and experiences others found difficult to express. May he be truly free now. Rest, sir.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 19, 2021
When the news came out that Paul had died, people in the entertainment business and fans alike took to social media to pay touching tributes to him. Ava DuVernay, a director, wrote on Twitter, “Paul Mooney. A giant of comedy. I remember how important his RACE album was to me when I was in college.
Yeah, the jokes. But more than that, the freedom. He talked freely and without fear about feelings and experiences that other people found hard to talk about. May he finally be free? Rest, sir.” On Twitter, actress Viola Davis wrote, “Aww… Rest in peace, comedy legend, Paul Mooney!
Awww…. RIP comedy legend Paul Mooney! You were both funny and poignant. So happy to have witnessed your genius live. Rest well!!! Pour down some laughter here. We need it 💗💗💗 pic.twitter.com/cr6MqY3UXA
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) May 19, 2021
You were funny and sad at the same time. So glad to have seen your brilliance in person. Rest well!!! Put some laughs down here. We need it,” with a heart emoji next to it. Bill Burr, a comedian, sent out a tweet that said, “R.I.P. to the absolute master! You taught me so much.”
R.I.P. to the absolute master! – Paul Mooney. I learned so much from you.
— Bill Burr (@billburr) May 19, 2021
Even though he used to write for comedian Richard Pryor, Paul is best known for his role as Sam Cooke in The Buddy Holly Story, which starred Gary Busey. He was also known for his role as Junebug in the comedy Bamboozled, which came out in 2000.
Paul went on to write for Fox’s “In Living Color” and guest-star on Chappelle’s Show, among many other projects and stand-up comedy shows.
Paul Mooney’s Confession
Dwayne said, “I don’t think it would be a big deal” when asked what would happen if Paul Mooney turned out to be gay. Daryl said, “So what if he’s bisexual? If the fact that he is bisexual is important to you, then you are homophobic.” The full video is posted below.
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