Comedian William Stephenson passed away this week, and comedians all over the world, and particularly in New York City paid respects and condolences to the comedian who was not only a fixture at New York’s infamous Comedy Cellar and other New York Clubs, but he also had roles in film and on television. You may have seen him on the Daily Show or episodes of Louie, Inside Amy Schumer, Pootie Tang and The Big Sick. He was in several docs including the not yet released Rick Crom documentary, Comedian and I Am Comic.
On The Cellar’s Instagram, comics and fans expressed sadness, remembering him as incredibly sweet, sometimes grouchy, but most of all someone who made everyone laugh. Some of the comics and friends expressing condolences on social media today included Dave Attell, Roy Wood Jr., Nathan Macintosh, Zainab Johnson, Rich Vos, Liz Miele, Sherrod Small, Mike Bocchetti, Veronica Mosey, Jim Gaffigan, Nikki Glaser, Ardie Fuqua, Neal Brennan, Gary Vider, Dennis Regan, Subhah Agarwal, Harrison Greenbaum, Matteo Lane, John Mayer, Eddie Ifft, Ben Hague, Leonard Ouzts, Ted Alexandro, Donnell Rawlings, Monroe Martin, Judy Gold, Sean Donnelly, Amy Schumer, Wil Sylvince, Sarah Silverman, Marina Franklin, John Mulaney, Chris Rock, Jared Fried, Mike Royce, Questlove, Pete Lee, Liza Treyger, Jay Pharoah, Mike Lawrence, Hasan Minhaj, Carmen Lynch, Chris Distefano, Laurie Kilmartin, Christian Finnegan, Ronny Chieng, Mike Vecchione, Sam Morril, Marc Theobald, Nore Davis, Vinnie Brand, Greg Fitzsimmons, Felonious Monk, Greg Stone, Dan LaMorte, John Fugelsang, and others.
Sarah Silverman who was friends with William for 28 years remembered “Poker at Eddie’s on Monday’s and the Cellar the rest. He was a classic curmudgeon and making him laugh was the greatest feeling in zee whole world. and I keep not dealing because I’m so sick of comics dying and it never seems real and I keep remembering and going to call him and then realizing you can’t do that when someone is no longer here. (Though sometimes I still do)
I love you, William, you funkadelic Detroiter.”
Marina Franklin remembered how Stephenson as a true funk master who knew soul music history and could make you laugh. Ian Fidance wrote “man we lost a major dude today. William Stephenson made a lotta people happy and he’s gonna be missed. He taught me to always get salmon with mashed potatoes instead of the lentils. Rest in Peace William.” Sherrod Small who has known Stephenson since the 90’s wrote “I loved that grumpy bastard❤👊🏽 You will be missed!!”
Joe Materese wrote “Every time I ever hear bacon sizzling I will forever think of the super kind @newweeeyum #WilliamStephenson doing his perfect job of turning a random NYC comedy club audience into a well oiled group ready to be the best audience they know how to be. RIP William.” Adrienne Iapalucci wrote “This is so heartbreaking. He always made me laugh and will be missed.”
So many remembered how touched they were that Stephenson was kind to them. Like Sean Donnelly who tweeted “Thank you for always being nice to me.” Pete Lee wrote “This lovable grouch hosted the first show that I ever did in New York City. He barked at every comedian in the Comic Strip green room, but he was kind to me. I asked him why he was nice to me, and yet he roasted all the other comics backstage. He said, “Because I’ve known you 10 seconds and I know you’re not an asshole. These other guys are assholes.” Over the years, he always killed and he was always a sweetheart, and I will miss seeing him on the steps of the Cellar. R.I.P William Stephenson. You will be missed!” Greg Stone remembered Williams being nice to him when he wasn’t comfortable, and thanked him for the laughs. Yamaneika called him quick witted, down to earth, genuine and kind. Sam Morril remembered Stephenson as a true NY curmudgeon and Cellar staple, and said “Making him laugh felt extra special bc you knew he wasn’t faking it. I’ll miss him mocking me for always believing in the Knicks. RIP William.” Leonard Ouzts wrote “RIP WILLIAM STEVENSON. Was always nice to me. From the first day we met @comedycellarusa !! Always brought me on stage respectfully. I’ll miss you old man !!” John Mulaney called him a wonderful comic who was funny & grouchy & kind & weird & great. “William, thank you for being nice to me at the Cellar from the first night I met you til the last time I saw you. We weren’t close but I never once thought about you without smiling.” Christian Finnegan said the first time Stephenson remembered his name, he felt like he’d been given his union card.
Nore Davis thanked Stephenson for helping him develop as a comic. “He always told me what was wrong with my set and never what was good. That was his way of telling me I wasn’t funny…yet. He told me he watched my Away Game special and said “I really liked it”. That meant the world to me. It was like I made my own father laugh! After that, anytime I’d see him, we’d make each other laugh by talkin Jive like we were in the 70’s! I’d say “Will, what it is sucka?” He say “It’s on the floor where ya left it” and I’d say “Well ya better pick it up, flip it and let it drop again cause it ain’t mine” then we both laugh about how ridiculous we sounded. I’m going to miss that. I’m going to miss him. Rest in power, you beautiful jive turkey”
Mike Lawrence remembered him as a consummate host. “New York City is one of the only places in the world where you can make a living hosting comedy shows land William Stephenson was one of the very few people that was good enough to do it for a very long time. RIP to a nice, funny guy.”
From Dave Attell, “NYC comedy won’t be the same with the passing of the late great William Stephenson. Rest In Peace”
Stephenson was 61; no cause of death has not been announced.
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NYC comedy won’t be the same with the passing of the late great William Stephenson. Rest In Peace https://t.co/T8cckocnQT
— Dave Attell (@attell) January 14, 2019
William Stephenson died. He was a wonderful comic. He was funny & grouchy & kind & weird & great. William, thank you for being nice to me at the Cellar from the first night I met you til the last time I saw you. We weren't close but I never once thought about you without smiling.
— John Mulaney (@mulaney) January 14, 2019
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"Just do what you do in the time they give you." William Stephenson moved from DC to NYC only 2 years after his 1st open mic. He went from homeless/performing in the street to Letterman warm-up, The Chris Rock Show, The Daily Show…all without a manager. https://t.co/3wovU69zhc pic.twitter.com/hckXBR5rMd
— Julie Seabaugh (@julieseabaugh) January 14, 2019
View this post on InstagramRest in peace William Stephenson 🙏
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Back when I was producing @tompapa's show at SiriusXM, William Stephenson was on almost every live show we did at The Village Underground. He would steal every scene he was in. I'm sad to hear of his passing. https://t.co/YlzXvI8D6a
— Aaron (@aaronhodges) January 14, 2019
View this post on InstagramFunny man mentor friend . Great Comic so sad. RIP.
A post shared by Chris Rock (@chrisrock) on
William Stephenson died today. Once 4 my bday he gave me a hallmark card made 4 a daughter or something -inside it said “I love” & then he crossed out the rest &added “your tits.” I loved him so much. https://t.co/ov1w388NoO pic.twitter.com/GO5A2h498N
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 15, 2019
William was the best. Funny, nice to everyone. And a great laugher. Always gave it up if you lobbed a good one. RIP William Stephenson. https://t.co/xtSEGBHYS6
— Laurie Kilmartin (@anylaurie16) January 15, 2019
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View this post on InstagramA post shared by Pete Lee (@peteleepeteleepetelee) on
Anytime I’d see William Stephenson I’d scream “MR STEPHENSON!!!” And he’d respond with “WHAT?!” When I’d leave the @ComedyCellarUSA I’d go in for a hug and he never hugged back. Making him laugh was as fun as making him shake his head. I’ll miss you William. pic.twitter.com/ssFlzL2QJz
— Jared Freid (@jtrain56) January 14, 2019
The NY comedy scene lost a true legend today. William Stephenson was like the bedrock of NY comedy. I often referred to him as “the lovably irascible William Stephenson.” He’d bellow his deep laugh and reply “I’m rascible!” RIP my friend.
— Ted Alexandro (@tedalexandro) January 15, 2019
View this post on InstagramWe lost a great man in comedy. Quick witted, down to earth, genuine and kind! #RIPWilliamStephenson
A post shared by Yamaneika (@yamaneika) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Sam Morril (@sammorril) on
Last month at @ComedyCellarUSA
William: wear your shirt so we can take a picture!
Me: ok I’ll wear it tomorrow
(RIP William Stephenson). pic.twitter.com/d9CBYHGIH9— Carmen Lynch (@CarmenComedian) January 14, 2019
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View this post on InstagramRest In Peace William Stepheson.
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Rest In Peace William Stephenson. Thank you for always being nice to me.
— Sean Donnelly (@seanytime) January 14, 2019
William Stephenson was a great comic and a man i considered a friend. He once told me i was the only white guy who was allowed to say “what up pimp juice” . Ill miss you my friend. You were always cool.
— Chris Distefano (@chrisdcomedy) January 14, 2019
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View this post on InstagramWilliam Stephenson ill miss you. Heaven just got their MC for tonight’s show. Rest in Peace brother.
A post shared by Chris Distefano (@chrisdcomedy) on
Known William Stephenson since I was 17. I feel like he hosted every show since I started. Unapologetically himself and always so fun to joke with. He is already deeply missed. RIP buddy. https://t.co/3EwnghOSMp
— Liz Miele (@lizmiele) January 15, 2019
View this post on InstagramRest In Peace, William. @comedycellarusa (@linesexpression )
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View this post on InstagramA great great dude. Wee-yum. 😞
A post shared by Neal Brennan (@nealbrennan) on
Rest In Peace William Stephenson. We love you and we will miss you. NYC comedy will never be the same.
— Mike Vecchione (@ComicMikeV) January 15, 2019
View this post on InstagramREST IN PEACE WILLIAM STEPHENSON. My heart is broken. Condolences to the family.
A post shared by Ardie Fuqua (@ardiefuqua) on
William Stephenson was already the quintessential NYC comic back when I was just a baby standup, and he never stopped being a huge part of the scene. RIP to a funny funny man pic.twitter.com/QQ7Bmmg65h
— Mike Royce (@MikeRoyce) January 15, 2019
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RIP William Stephenson we go way back.
— RichVos (@RichVos) January 14, 2019
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…I can't tell you how much it meant to me the first time William Stephenson remembered my name. I felt like I'd been given my union card. RIP to a kind and hilariously chill human being.
— Christian Finnegan (@ChristFinnegan) January 14, 2019
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I liked William Stephenson @newweeeyum . I don’t think we ever had an exchange where one of us wasn’t making the other one laugh.
— Dennis Regan (@DennisRegan333) January 15, 2019
Rest In Peace, Mr. William Stephenson! incredibly funny and always kind pic.twitter.com/hWcs2syoVT
— alex english (@alex3nglish) January 14, 2019
We’re sad to hear of the passing of William Stephenson, an NYC stand-up fixture and true original. He will be missed.
— ComedyCentralStandUp (@standup) January 15, 2019
Every time I ever hear bacon sizzling I will forever think of the super kind @newweeeyum #WilliamStephenson doing his perfect job of turning a random NYC comedy club audience into a well oiled group ready to be the best audience they know how to be. RIP William
— Joe Matarese (@TheJoeMatarese) January 15, 2019
RIP William Stephenson. Always funny, always a gentleman always kind. You'll be missed. Thanks for the laughs.
— vinnie brand (@Vinnie_Brand) January 15, 2019
Very sad to hear news of my old poker buddy and host of hosts at the NY clubs for 30 years William Stephenson passing. He was surly and hilarious.
— Greg Fitzsimmons (@GregFitzShow) January 15, 2019
William and Ardie (honorable mention Wil) hosting the Cellar were some of my favorite memories of nights WATCHING comedy. Always solid hosting. Always funny. Pros pros. RIP William Stephenson.
— Felonious Munk Is Beautiful (@Felonious_munk) January 14, 2019
HIM: Did you hear about William Stephenson?
[long silence]
ME: I don't think I like your tone.
HIM: No. You don't like my tone.
ME: When?
HIM: I heard yesterday.
William was the MC for my first stand-up comedy album recorded at the Comic Strip. Good Night, My Dear. pic.twitter.com/duUKSGzbLp
— VeryFunnyLady (@LeighannLord) January 15, 2019
God bless William Stephenson.
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) January 15, 2019
Heartbroken that William Stephenson @newweeeyum has passed away. He was always so welcoming & kind & funny & I’m gonna miss hanging at the Olive Tree with him. RIP, my friend.
— Harrison Greenbaum (@harrisoncomedy) January 15, 2019
@ComedyCellarUSA am so so sorry Noam estee everyone all comics at the cellar for the loss of William Stephenson s great comedian man and really sweet guy always super kind and a good man the comedy community lost a great life time friend and member 😭😭🙏🙏
— MIKE BOCCHETTI (@MIKEBOCCHETTI) January 14, 2019
William Stephenson passed away today. William had one of the calmest and coolest demeanors in the business, setting the pace for some of the best shows in New York City. He was one of the most welcoming faces when I first started working the Comedy Cellar. Thanks for the laughs. pic.twitter.com/Bfe3nDLJNQ
— Dan LaMorte (@DanLaMorte) January 14, 2019
RIP to NY Comedy Legend William Stephenson. The best host i ever seen do it. I watched him almost every night for 5 years when i worked in a comedy club. He would always come in with a bag of Boston Market and order an orange juice.
“If you can dig it. Then it must be dug” pic.twitter.com/FGfhl4mUkU
— Kevin Flood (@FLOOKLYN) January 14, 2019
Sad to learn about the passing of the very funny William Stephenson @newweeeyum One of the best emcees in NYC for many many years. He will be missed. #rip #williamstephenson pic.twitter.com/qoKqn7qdRa
— All Things Comedy (@allthingscomedy) January 15, 2019
Hilarious, kind person and @ComedyCellarUSA staple William Stephenson passed away. I loved his vibe and his laugh. He was one of the few steady comforts in an unsteady and uncomfortable business. RIP William.
— Julian McCullough (@julezmac) January 15, 2019
Rest In Peace William Stephenson…
— The Bonfire (@TheBonfireSXM) January 14, 2019
Rest In Peace William Stephenson. You were such an amazing presence in the comedy community.
— Subhah (@Subhah) January 14, 2019
I only saw him a few times & got to interview him twice. Nicest man offstage, hilarious & confident onstage. Could follow ANY nyc act. RIP William Stephenson https://t.co/VQUAtUmWte
— Jordan Brady (@ThatJordanBrady) January 15, 2019
Rest In Peace, William Stephenson. A hilarious comic and a pleasure to work with. https://t.co/hQgOz6SrDQ
— Daniel Powell (@danieljpowell) January 15, 2019
One of my favorite people on the planet passed away. William Stephenson was one of the kindest, coolest comedians around. But more than anything he was a wonderful man and a true friend. RIP to the best emcee in the game! The comedy community, and the world, lost a great one. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/P0SqRr3ZfB
— Cyrus McQueen (@CyrusMMcQueen) January 14, 2019