Social media expressed grief as news broke that comedian and actor Teddy Ray had passed on Friday, via Deadline. The rising social media star was 32 years old. There has been no confirmed cause of death.
The comic accumulated more than 200,000 followers across social media in viral videos and on YouTube, according to Deadline. In addition to working the comedy club circuit, with a show just as recent as June 23, Ray was a writer and actor. In 2017, he wrote and appeared in six episodes of How to Be Broke, a digital series from Comedy Central. He had also most recently appeared in HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay.
Comedy Central confirmed the comic’s passing in a statement that read: “Teddy Ray was a hilarious and beloved performer. He’ll be deeply missed by the entire comedy community.”
Other tributes began to appear from Ray’s peers and colleagues. Per Deadline Emmy-winning comedian and actor, Katt Williams (Next Friday, Atlanta) said Ray was “brilliant.” And Issa Rae, Insecure creator and head of Hoorae media company, shared her condolences for Ray in her Instagram stories. Hoorae and Ray had worked together in the past. The company also posted a tribute to him on its Twitter page.
Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson left a message on Ray’s final Instagram post citing, “Heartbroken. Gonna miss you teddy,” according to Deadline. Sadly this is the second sudden passing of new Black comic within the community. Last month Peacock’s Bust Down co-creator and star Jak Knight died by suicide. He was 28 years old.
According to Deadline, no memorial plans or next of kin have been announced.