Ralphie May, 45, Dead of Cardiac Arrest: Comedians Tweet Love and Respect
Comedian Ralphie May has died after suffering heart failure on Friday, TMZ is reporting. May reportedly went into cardiac arrest after battling pneumonia for six weeks. Despite being ill May had continued to perform in Vegas, with his last performance taking place just last night at Harrahs.
Born in Tennessee, May started his comedy career in Texas when he was just 17. He became famous after coming in second on NBC’s Last Comic Standing where he became known for talking about being from “da hood”. Over the course of his career May released seven albums, most recently, Unruly in 2015, and recorded six comedy specials including four for Comedy Central, and two for Netflix. He was a fixture at festivals, and never stopped touring.
He was 45.
Comedians took to social media to remember Ralphie who was a friend to many and well respected by other comics. Everyone who knew him loved him, and talked about how he helped their careers, or made introductions for them. His comedy, his big heart and generosity will not be forgotten. There’s no better words to express what he meant to so many people than the words of his friends and fellow comedians.
https://twitter.com/TheComedyStore/status/916411820235137024
I love you RALPHIE MAY
Realest dude I’ve ever met.#justcorrect
— Jon Ferguson Mohr (@jaymohr37) October 6, 2017
I once watched Ralphie May order 400 shots for the entire bar. #RIPRalphieMay
— Sal Vulcano (@SalVulcano) October 6, 2017
My heart aches at Ralphie's passing. He was funny and always kind. Even when he didn't have to be. That is very rare and special.
— Christina Pazsitzky (@ChristinaP) October 7, 2017
Starting out I met Ralphie May, he'd do jokes for me on stage "there you go Jay" sweetest guy, funniest comic. RIP. Thinking of your fam.
— Jay Larson (@JayLarsoncomedy) October 6, 2017
NO! #RalphieMay was such a nice guy! Last time we talked backstage at @zaniesnashville I promised to put him in the Jay/Bob movie. Dammit… https://t.co/zrljotClGr
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) October 6, 2017
So sad to hear about Ralphie. Sweet guy. He loved doing stand up and loved comedians. #RIPRalphieMay
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) October 6, 2017
Oh man. @Ralphie_May #RIP https://t.co/4fHbmu8p6M
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) October 6, 2017
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ralphie Mays family. 1 of the sweetest guys I've ever known. Another sad day in the comedy community. RIP
— RichVos (@RichVos) October 6, 2017
I ❤️you, Ralphie May. My thoughts are with your family. RIP, buddy. https://t.co/1Rz7wqF3TR
— Bonnie McFarlane (@bonniemcfarlane) October 6, 2017
R.I.P. @Ralphie_May One of the nicest I’ve met in this business.
— Nick DiPaolo (@NickDiPaolo) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May was a great and funny dude. He was a real headliner. Tough to hear of his passing. Praying for his family. #RIPRalphie
— Nate Bargatze (@natebargatze) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May was a treasured member of the Moontower family. We offer our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans.
— Moontower Comedy (@MoontowerComedy) October 6, 2017
Damn. Ralphie May was the first comic to take me out on road with him. He was always so kind and generous. This is real sad. R.I.P.
— Tronald Dump (@ChrisCubas) October 6, 2017
Ralphie loved comics. I remember the first time we were on the road together when we got back to Austin he told be to get like 10 of my…
— Tronald Dump (@ChrisCubas) October 6, 2017
The Road Gods have taken another great one… We miss you Ralphie!!
— Dave Attell (@attell) October 6, 2017
@Ralphie_May Damn. You were a good friend and an amazingly funny guy. Glad we spent some time together last year. You will be missed. RIP
— Bobby Slayton (@PitbullofComedy) October 6, 2017
@Ralphie_May RIP love you
— Louie Anderson (@LouieAnderson) October 7, 2017
One of the funniest to do it RIP!!!!!! https://t.co/tHgsiGecxR
— Lil Rel Howery (@LilRel4) October 6, 2017
Fuck. Fuck, Fuck, Fuck. Love you, Ralphie.
— Sal Vulcano (@SalVulcano) October 6, 2017
I'm at a loss for words to hear about the passing of comedian Ralfie May. He was a friend to many and a father of 2 beautiful children. RIP? pic.twitter.com/nGsq63xN0c
— Gabriel Iglesias (@fluffyguy) October 6, 2017
Wow….I was just told that Ralphie May passed. I'm truly saddened by this. He was a good dude. Heaven just got another funny angel RIP man
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May. Dammit. You were a funny and sweet mofo man. Rest In Peace.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) October 6, 2017
Rest n Peace Ralphie May. One of the nicest, funniest, realest dudes I ever met.
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) October 6, 2017
Sad to hear my old friend the hilarious @Ralphie_May has passed. Master of the craft of standup. But also a huge heart. He'll be missed#rip pic.twitter.com/8iExXMdJby
— Ben Gleib (@bengleib) October 6, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ670d-AB0Z/?tagged=ripralphiemay
RIP to Ralphie. This dude was always so fuckin sweet to me when I was coming up. Sad day for stand up. https://t.co/uPjjCwtTQM
— Chris D'Elia (@chrisdelia) October 6, 2017
Man. Sad day for comedy. With Ralphie gone, Chelsea Peretti is gonna run completely unchecked.
— Anthony Jeselnik (@anthonyjeselnik) October 6, 2017
Shit news week just even got shittier.
Very sad to hear of the passing of @Ralphie_May
He was a damn good dude & a great comedian.— Tom Rhodes (@_TomRhodes) October 7, 2017
RIP @Ralphie_May. Funny and sweet. #toosoon
— Judy Gold ?? (@JewdyGold) October 6, 2017
RIP RALPHIE MAY!
— Sam Tripoli (@samtripoli) October 6, 2017
Losing to Dat Phan is something that you never get over. #RIPRalphieMay
— Doug Stanhope (@DougStanhope) October 6, 2017
RIP @Ralphie_May. I'm glad we got to spend some time together in Nashville recently. He was a sweet guy, really funny comic.
— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) October 7, 2017
Saddened by the passing of my friend @Ralphie_May a sweet, kind, hilarious soul that passed way to soon. RIP old friend
— Jimmy Shubert (@JimmyShubert) October 7, 2017
Ralphie May was a sweetheart of a guy and I’m going to miss him. https://t.co/OQE9kThpPo
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) October 6, 2017
RIP to my buddy Ralphie May…. so young, so sad… was always super nice and gracious to me…really sad loss for comedy
— Big Jay Oakerson (@bigjayoakerson) October 7, 2017
Met Ralphie May 1997ish He said “I’m doin a talk show pilot w Jeff Ross as host. I said “whats ur role? & he replied “I play the audience”
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) October 7, 2017
I did gigs w Ralphie like 10 yrs ago & we had a blast. I miss him already. He’s a guy u always missed. Unless u were throwing stuff at him
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) October 7, 2017
Ralphie was so great & if my Dr is right I’ll be joining him soon! Hear that May?! Hells in trouble! RIP Pal hope ur smilin.
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) October 7, 2017
Ralphie May was comfortable saying the N word. #RealAssDude #RIP
— Luis J. Gomez (@luisjgomez) October 7, 2017
RIP my funny brother. Tell my mom and dad hello for me, but don’t cuss! https://t.co/lzQterk65b
— Sinbad (@sinbadbad) October 6, 2017
RiP Ralphie May. Great guy. Supportive, warm hearted & real. Everything you hear about him today is true. Loved by the comedians. Very sad.
— Steven BRODY Stevens (@BrodyismeFriend) October 6, 2017
.@Ralphie_May was genuinely the nicest most encouraging person you could meet. Always unconditional love from him.
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) October 6, 2017
I'll miss you buddy. #RIPRalphieMay https://t.co/fvJm3DtJKN
— bert kreischer (@bertkreischer) October 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/tomsegura/status/916431029220663296
One of the best talks given on what we do. RIP https://t.co/iO980kuTZ2
— Tim Dillon (@TimJDillon) October 6, 2017
I’m so saddened by the news. Ralphie May was one of the funniest, sweetest guys out there. My heart breaks for him & his family #RIP
— Ryan Sickler (@ryansickler) October 6, 2017
#rioralphiemay comedy lost a legend today. One of the funniest motherfuckers to ever do it. He… https://t.co/cujmKquEqQ
— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) October 7, 2017
It was always a pleasure to see Ralphie. He'll be missed. #ralphie
— Chris Franjola (@ChrisFranjola) October 6, 2017
Shit man, I may end up literally the last comic standin' and whatnot. Farewell, Ralphie May. pic.twitter.com/hYiJcE2kb4
— George Wallace (@MrGeorgeWallace) October 6, 2017
Bye Bye Ralphie. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/ytOisLPZhj
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) October 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/AriesSpears/status/916407798698860544
Words cannot express how sad i feel about Ralphie May's death, FUCK#RIPRalphieMay
— Mike Ward (@MikeWardca) October 6, 2017
Ralphie was the best https://t.co/7RUShlqTac
— Mike Ward (@MikeWardca) October 6, 2017
Fuckin @Ralphie_May was a one of a kind, sweet, funny, anachronistic motherfucker. They broke the big ass mold when they made him.
— Moshe Kasher (@moshekasher) October 7, 2017
Damn. RIP Ralphie May. Comic warrior.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) October 6, 2017
Damn. RIP @Ralphie_May. Great comic, great guy. Drove the nicest SUV I'd ever seen when he was just an emcee out of Houston. Ugh.
— Laurie Kilmartin (@anylaurie16) October 6, 2017
Whoa… man.. this sucks. Ralphie was a good guy & a very funny person. Condolences to his family & fans. https://t.co/M9s6bneAeA
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) October 6, 2017
So sad to hear about Ralphie. Sweet guy. He loved doing stand up and loved comedians. #RIPRalphieMay
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) October 6, 2017
I'm so sad @Ralphie_May. The waitstaff can finally go home now…. we will miss you! #RIPRalphieMay
— Tammy Pescatelli (@TammyPescatelli) October 7, 2017
We cannot spare @Ralphie_May he is one of nature's gentleman.
— Greg Proops (@GregProops) October 6, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ7BcduF5p4/?tagged=ralphiemay
RIP Raphie May. Way too soon. Way too young. It just sucks. Love you.
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 6, 2017
Crushed by the news about @Ralphie_May. Forget how funny he was…such a kind, generous soul. We will miss you, brother.
— Josh Wolf (@joshwolfcomedy) October 6, 2017
Such awful news about Ralphie May passing. He was a sweet guy and a great comic. 45 is too fucking young. So so sad. RIP Ralphie…
— ʞɔiwbɿɒH ꙅiɿʜƆ (@hardwick) October 6, 2017
Oh NO. Ralphie May, comedian. RIP. As much fun to hang out with as he was to watch. GODDAMIT.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 6, 2017
RIP Ralphie May, so funny and always so nice. What a fucking bummer.
— Dan Soder (@DanSoder) October 6, 2017
#RIPRalphie #RalphieMay he and I did several dates together and he made me feel like he was a seasoned gangster of a comedian and I was…
— t.j. miller (@nottjmiller) October 7, 2017
…under his wing. Because he was and he did take me under a wing, have wings with me, a smoke, and taught me how to make people comfortable
— t.j. miller (@nottjmiller) October 7, 2017
How to let everyone feel that it’s okay- that this moment is easy and fun. He really was one of my favorites, & the best weed. #RIPRalphie
— t.j. miller (@nottjmiller) October 7, 2017
My Brother is gone………
— Joey CoCo Diaz (@madflavor) October 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/fortunefunny/status/916404471051063296
Tears for Ralphie. Big dude was all heart. ❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SjN2RTF4hU
— Theo Von (@TheoVon) October 6, 2017
Sorry to hear about @Ralphie_May gone way too soon. Not only was a funny guy he was also sweetheart and a super fan of the show. You will be missed my friend. RIP
— SHULI (@shalomshuli) October 6, 2017
Thank you for always caring. And thank you for all the wise words and kind gestures, @Ralphie_May. I promise they will stay with me. pic.twitter.com/ji7UtLnV2L
— Sal Vulcano (@SalVulcano) October 6, 2017
Ralphie May RIP funny man. We shared good talks & good laughs . See you on the other side kid
— Jim Breuer (@JimBreuer) October 6, 2017
Love ya big guy!!! I'll miss singing @oasis w ya. I'm heartbroken. Miss ya @Ralphie_May #Love #RIP
— Steve Byrne (@stevebyrnelive) October 6, 2017
I write this crying but @Ralphie_May was an amazing comic and and an even better person. Made me want to keep doing stand up. LOVE YOU KING pic.twitter.com/Q6XCH7QSly
— Earl Skakel (@EarlSkakel) October 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/toneBell/status/916409110756651008
I'm saddened by @ralphie_May's passing! What an incredible sweet guy he was! His kind heart comes thru here https://t.co/hIEh8ZsaWt #iTunes
— Joe Matarese (@TheJoeMatarese) October 6, 2017
.@Ralphie_May introduced me to @jaymohr37 and I was their opening act at @TheIrvineImprov, still my favorite week of standup of my career.
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) October 6, 2017
This really hurts… I struggle with weight and I know he tried really hard … but he will be remembered for his funny.. he loved comedy https://t.co/RSPZufCRil
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) October 6, 2017
Ah shit RIP Ralphie May.
— Luis J. Gomez (@luisjgomez) October 6, 2017
.@Ralphie_May helped get me in @TheLaughFactory. He didn’t know me at all and after he saw my set he told Jamie Masada to have me onboard.
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) October 6, 2017
Ah shit RIP Ralphie May.
— Luis J. Gomez (@luisjgomez) October 6, 2017
One of the kindest souls, one of the most tormented. One of the most giving.I'm lucky to have known @Ralphie_May he was one of the good guys
— Iliza Shlesinger (@iliza) October 6, 2017
RIp #Ralphie May a funny dude a good cat! You will be missed! #TeamDl
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) October 6, 2017
RIP #Ralphiemay Love you brother….
— Bobby Lee (@bobbyleelive) October 6, 2017
RIP Ralphie. Thank you for the laughs. #ralphiemay pic.twitter.com/XmzGgDwV7y
— All Things Comedy (@allthingscomedy) October 6, 2017
Rest in Pizza, Ralphie May. I never knew you, but I fucking loved your comedy and your mind.
— pete lee (@peteleetweets) October 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/Vinnie_Brand/status/916629043176493061
REST IN PEACE RALPHIE MAY. I'm truly sad and I'm heartbroken. You will be missed, my friend. pic.twitter.com/MHubt993w0
— ARDIE FUQUA (@ARDIEFUQUA) October 7, 2017
R.I.P to my homie, phemonal comedian, and great human being, Ralphie May, my condolences to his family..???
— Jay Pharoah (@JayPharoah) October 7, 2017
This man was hilarious. Thanks @AriShaffir for respecting his wishes. #RalphieMay https://t.co/EYDgtwcDJ7
— Lisa Robles (@LisaRobulz) October 7, 2017