49 Facts About Patrice O'Neal

Patrice Lumumba Malcolm O'Neal was an American comedian and actor.

Patrice O'Neal was known for his stand-up comedy career and his regular guest appearances on the talk show Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and the radio show Opie and Anthony.

Patrice Lumumba Malcolm O'Neal was born in New York City on December 7,1969.

Patrice O'Neal was named by his mother after Patrice Lumumba, leader of the Congolese independence movement and the Republic of the Congo's first prime minister, and the African-American human rights activist Malcolm X Patrice O'Neal was bullied at school over his name, but later said that it taught him "how to be a man".

Patrice O'Neal never had a relationship with his father, although he was aware of his identity.

Patrice O'Neal attended West Roxbury High School, during which he took up football and ended his playing career with three varsity letter awards and winning a state championship in his senior year.

Patrice O'Neal turned down a sports scholarship at Northeastern University in Boston, which included a housing grant, in favor of studying performing arts at the university with a major in theater studies.

Patrice O'Neal sold food to guests at the Boston Garden arena.

Patrice O'Neal performed his first stand-up in October 1992 at Estelle's in Boston.

Patrice O'Neal had attended an open-mic night at the venue the week prior to his debut where he heckled a performer, who in turn challenged him to try stand-up himself.

Patrice O'Neal developed his act in the Boston area for the next six years, where his earlier performances were done under the name Bruiser Patrice O'Neal.

In 1998, Patrice O'Neal relocated to New York City, working regular spots at the Comedy Cellar.

Patrice O'Neal was "essentially thrown out of America" and accepted offers to perform in the UK, first by English stand-up John Simmit for a part on his Upfront Comedy circuit.

Patrice O'Neal worked hard to gain the respect of his peers, recalling that it took several months "for them to go 'okay, this guy's not playing around'".

In 2006 and 2007, Patrice O'Neal joined Opie and Anthony's Traveling Virus Comedy Tour, playing large arenas across the US.

In 2010, Patrice O'Neal recorded his first and only hour special for Comedy Central, Elephant in the Room.

Patrice O'Neal promoted the special with an interview on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, his first network television appearance in four years.

In late 2000, Patrice O'Neal took a position as a writer for WWE after an associate of the company saw him perform.

Patrice O'Neal visited Vince McMahon's house, traveled with the organization for one week of live shows on their private jet, and directed some vignettes.

Patrice O'Neal was then offered a 13-week contract, but turned it down as he already had plans.

Patrice O'Neal later said that "it wouldn't have been a dream" if he had kept doing it and that it was enjoyable because "it was short and sweet".

Patrice O'Neal landed his first of a series of television appearances, beginning with the sketch program The Colin Quinn Show, followed by Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn which he appeared from 2002 until its cancellation in 2004.

Patrice O'Neal appeared in guest-starring roles on MTV's Apartment 2F, Assy McGee, Yes Dear, Arrested Development, Chappelle's Show, and The Office.

Patrice O'Neal was a regular on the Fox series The Jury and starred in the Comedy Central animated program Shorties Watchin' Shorties with Nick Di Paolo.

Patrice O'Neal supplied the voice of Harold Jenkins on Noggin's animated program O'Grady and was featured as Jesus in Denis Leary's Searchlight.

Patrice O'Neal then became the host of the seasons one and two of Web Junk 20 on VH1, in 2006.

In 2007, Patrice O'Neal revealed he turned down an opportunity to appear on Celebrity Fit Club and said that his "career is more important than [his] health".

Patrice O'Neal made five appearances at the annual Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, including a one-man, one-week show at Theatre Sainte-Catherine in 2008.

Patrice O'Neal guest starred in another For Your Imagination-produced show, called Break a Leg, playing "Adult-Sized Gary Coleman".

In 2011, Patrice O'Neal performed as one of the comedians for The Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen as he expressed his respect for the actor and wished to tell him in person.

In 2002, Patrice O'Neal had returned to the New York City area.

Patrice O'Neal made his debut appearance on the Opie and Anthony radio show on January 17,2002, when friend and comedian Rich Vos brought him onto the show, which at the time aired from WNEW.

From 2006 to 2008, Patrice O'Neal hosted a relationship advice show on XM initially titled Bitch Management before it was renamed to The Black Philip Show, a reference to doctor and television personality "Dr Phil" McGraw.

Patrice O'Neal got the idea for the latter after he interjected into a conversation with two white males over guitar riffs, and thought of the idea of him "trying to learn about white folks".

Patrice O'Neal appeared as a guest on other shows such as The Alex Jones Show and segments on Fox News.

Patrice O'Neal stated that his appearance at Sheen's roast did little to transform his career apart from helping sell out a weekend of stand-up shows at Caroline's.

Patrice O'Neal revealed a further meeting with FX regarding a possible animated series and a project that involved his friends coming to his home to record interviews.

On February 19,2021, Comedy Central released Patrice O'Neal: Killing is Easy, a documentary on O'Neal's life and career.

Patrice O'Neal cited George Carlin and Richard Pryor as his favorite comedians.

Patrice O'Neal's routines were characterized by an off-the-cuff approach and frequently adult themes.

Patrice O'Neal was direct when presenting his views, particularly on race and gender roles.

Patrice O'Neal was a provocateur who often incited audience members to heckle or even leave the club.

Gregg "Opie" Hughes stated that he had seen Patrice O'Neal "give people money to leave".

Patrice O'Neal was engaged to actress Vondecarlo Brown at the time of his death.

Patrice O'Neal acknowledged on The Opie and Anthony Show, on April 25,2008, that he was legally precluded from owning a firearm.

Patrice O'Neal was rushed to Jersey City Medical Center and later Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey, where doctors performed surgery to remove a blood clot in his head.

Patrice O'Neal lost his ability to speak, and later his ability to move, communicating for a time by eye movements before losing this ability.

The channel dedicated its programming that weekend to O'Neal, airing a 16-hour special, A Tribute to Patrice O'Neal, featuring some of his best appearances, along with memories from fellow comedians.

On September 23,2012, during the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards, Patrice O'Neal was remembered during the "In Memoriam" tribute.