Kevin Barnett, 32, Dies While on Vacation in Mexico; Comedians Pay Respects

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photo by Mindy Tucker

Update:  Mexican authorities have released a statement regarding the cause of Kevin Barnett’s death. They are listing his COD as “Non Traumatic Hemorrhage caused by pancreatitis.”  According to E!, Barnett’s remains are still in possession of the Tijuana Forensic Medical Service, waiting to be delivered to family members. Barnett’s body was received by authorities in Tijuana at 5:50am on January 22nd. 

This weekend, comedian Kevin Barnett was enjoying his vacation in Mexico, and posted a photo in a new sweater. “Been accused of cultural appropriation several times,” he wrote. “In my head I just gave a lady some money so I ain’t cold. Either way. Swag heavy. Mixtape comin.”

On Tuesday came the shocking news that Barnett passed away. He was only 32.

All seemed well for Burnett who was off to a pretty impressive start career-wise. He was a producer and writer for FOX Network’s “Rel”, a writer on the critically acclaimed “Carmichael Show”, a writer and producer on “Broad City,” wrote for the “Eric Andre Show,” “Unhitched,” and “Guy Code,” and he was the head writer for truTV’s vastly underrated sketch series, “Friends of the People,” where I met him for the first time during a set visit. The last time I saw Barnett was last April closing out Austin’s Moontower Festival at the State Theater, doing a weird but funny set with friend Brooks Wheelan.

Kevin had also created a tv movie Kevin vs Josh with writing partner Josh Rabinowitz, about two friends who worked their entire lives to get everything they ever wanted only to learn they hated it. They quit, to go figure out what they actually do want. “It’s the classic story about the 50 year-old white woman giving up the American dream to discover herself in another country, but about two dudes in their 20s who move nowhere.”

Barnett got his break when he, Josh Rabinowitz, the Lucas Brothers and Jermaine Fowler met Jen Bartels and Rel Howery while working on a reboot pilot for In Living Color. When that show didn’t fly, the seven comics pitched “Friends of the People”, their own show with truTV, and when that ended, everyone moved on to bigger things.

Kevin Barnett, Josh Rabinowitz, the Lucas Brothers and Jermaine Fowler all knew each other from doing stand up in New York City together. Then Jen Bartels and Rel Howery came in when they met Jermaine while working on the In Living Color reboot pilot. After that didn’t work out, the seven got together and pitched FOTP. It’s worked out great for them because now they get to do the same type of work, but now they are their own Executive Producers and writers, so there’s no big dog making all the decisions for them.

He was an incredibly sweet and funny guy, who believed in knocking on wood.

The comedy world was shook by the news, with so many tweeting. FOX released a statement expressing great sorrow over the loss. “Our hearts are broken, as are those of everyone at ‘Rel,’ at the news of Kevin Barnett’s passing. 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.”

No cause of death has been released. The news first came from Last Pod Network on Twitter. Barnett was a part of the “Roundtable of Gentlemen” podcast along with Ed Larson, Kevin Barnett, Jackie Zebrowski, Holden McNeely, and Ben Kissel, and Marcus Parks. The network tweeted “It’s with a heavy heart we inform you of the passing of Kevin Barnett. The joy he brought to our lives is the greatest gift we have ever received. Remind your friends you love them because you never know when you’ll see them again. We love you KB.”

Barnett was remembered across social media today by comics like Lil Rel, The Lucas Brothers, Hasan Minhaj, Luis J. Gomez, Hari Kondabolu, Martin Morrow, Mike Drucker, Wil Sylvince, Sam Morril, Ed Larson, Brooks Wheelan, Ardie Fuqua, Nore Davis, Carmen Lynch, Josh Gondelman, Charles McBee, Ron Funches, Yannis Pappas, Adam Newman, Aparna Nancherla, Beth Stelling, Elliot Glazer, Jono Zalay, David Alan Grier, Mike Cannon, Harrison Greenbaum, Dave Hill, Mike Scully, Emily Heller, Jackie Kashian, Matteo Lane, Roy Wood Jr., Ali Leroi, Jen Bartels, Phoebe Robinson, Abbi Jacobson, Dan Soder, Calise Hawkins, Sara Benincasa, Nick Turner, Joe List, Chris Millhouse, Sinbad, Peggy O’Leary, Myka Fox, Scott Chaplain, Abbi Crutchfield, Wendi Starling, Gary Vider, Irene Morales, Pete Davidson and more.

Pete Davidson who has known the comedian for almost a decade wrote in a statement, “The world lost a big one today One of the members of our family of comedians, Kevin Barnett died I love Kevin, I’ve known him for ten years and he’s always been the sweetest and funniest, always with a smile on his face He was one of the few who treated me as a comedian when I was only 16. He always made me feel part of the group. ”

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And this gem from Myka Fox that got love and laughs from dozens of fellow comics.

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Debra Kessler

Debra Kessler