Comedian David Brenner, ‘Tonight’ favorite, dies

[Logical]

LOS ANGELES — David Brenner, the gangly, toothy-grinned “Tonight Show” favorite whose brand of observational comedy became a staple for other standup comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Reiser, died Saturday. He was 78.

Brenner, who had been fighting cancer, died peacefully at his home in New York City with his family at his side, according to Jeff Abraham, his friend and publicist.

“David Brenner was a huge star when I met him and he took me under his wing. To me, historically, he was the godfather of hip, observational comedy,” comedian Richard Lewis said in a statement. “He mentored me from day one. ... His passing leaves a hole in my life that can never be replaced.”

Brenner’s standup routines became a favorite of “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson starting in the 1970s.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/comedian-david-brenner-tonight-favorite-dies/2014/03/15/656ca812-ac91-11e3-b8ca-197ef3568958_story.html

[Logical]

1. Had no idea he was 78 years old. n-t

[Mnemosyne]

3. Me either. RIP David. nt

[shenmue]

2. Dang!

I loved his books! "If God Wanted Us to Travel" was so funny, I laughed hysterically all the way through it.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. He was very funny....

[Live and Learn]

6. Thanks for the laughs. Always enjoyed him. nt

[djean111]

5. He was very funny, and as I am from Philly, as he was, he had

some pretty hilarious humor about Philly.
There was something about his child custody battles that put me off, though. Probably I did not have all the info I needed to make a judgement, but he seemed very vindictive. It was NOT that I thought the father should not have custody, but he seemed mean and bitter and nasty about both ex-wives, at the time.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. I was a huge fan of Mr. Brenner when I was a kid. Sorry to hear this. May he RIP. nt

[CrispyQ]

8. A friend & I met him in Las Vegas at a restaurant.

People had gathered around him for autographs. He was funny & gracious.

Always like him.

RIP, Mr. Brenner.