Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

John Pinette dead: US comedian found dead in Pittsburgh hotel room, aged 50

The star, who was a veteran of the international comedy circuit, had just begun a tour of America and Canada

Jenn Selby
Monday 07 April 2014 09:55 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The American comedian and actor John Pinette has been found dead in a hotel room in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania aged just 50.

The star, who was a veteran of the international comedy circuit, had just begun a tour of America and Canada, which was scheduled to come to an end in June.

According to US media reports, he died at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.

A local medical examiner’s office has since confirmed to the Associated Press that he died of natural causes. A spokesperson confirmed that he had been suffering from heart and liver disease.

His manager also told to the Hollywood Reporter that he had suffered a pulmonary embolism.

The comedian, who was a regular on NBC’s long-running The Tonight Show, was born in Boston in 1964.

He broke into the entertainment industry after being invited on tour with Frank Sinatra.

According to his agent, Nick Nuciforo, he had been working on a brand new stand-up project when he died.

“He should be celebrated for the amazing comedian he was,” Nuciforo said.

Other credits include appearing alongside John Travolta in The Punisher movie in 2004.

He also starred in the last ever episode of Seinfeld, where he played a carjacking victim who was mercilessly mocked by the other members of the cast.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in