Messenger | by Peter Helman | January 28, 2024
Source: ‘The Daily Show’ Writer Tom Johnson Dies ‘Unexpectedly’ at 55 – The Messenger
theNational.buzz Summary:
- Tom Johnson, a two-time Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian known for his work on “The Daily Show” and co-creating “The Jeselnik Offensive,” passed away at the age of 55.
- He died unexpectedly from a cardiac issue at his Los Angeles home on January 14, according to his wife, Rozie Bacchi.
- Johnson had a successful career in comedy, winning Emmys and Peabody Awards for his work on “The Daily Show” and contributing to various other comedy programs.
Tom Johnson, a two-time Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian who wrote for The Daily Show and co-created The Jeselnik Offensive, has died. He was 55.
His wife, Rozie Bacchi, told The Hollywood Reporter that he died “peacefully and unexpectedly” at his Los Angeles home on Jan. 14 due to a cardiac issue.
“Tom passed away peacefully last Sunday afternoon. It was unexpected,” she said in a statement. “Tom had such a big heart and cared deeply about taking care of others. His work ethic was impeccable. He was fair, kind, talented, inclusive and funny as hell.”
“Although he was an accomplished comedy writer with numerous fancy awards, he was selfless and always said he should have been in the F.B.I. like his father,” she continued. “He would be so grateful to see the outpouring of love and support. Rest in peace, Tom. You deserve the best. I love you.”
Born on July 25, 1968, in Fairfax, Virginia, Johnson began pursuing stand-up comedy after graduating from college. He co-founded the Network Comedy Troupe in St. Louis and performed at venues across the country before being hired as a staff writer for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show in 1996.
Johnson continued at The Daily Show when Jon Stewart took over from host Craig Kilborn in 1999. He played hacker correspondent “Lord Viper Scorpion” in a recurring segment in a handful of episodes and remained at the show until 2003, winning two Emmys and two Peabody Awards for his work.
After leaving The Daily Show, Johsson served as head writer for Talkshow With Spike Feresten, WTF With Marc Maron and George Lopez’s Lopez Tonight, and in 2013, he co-created The Jeselnik Offensive with comedian Anthony Jeselnik.
