Teddy Ray, a rising comedy talent with appearances on Wild ‘n Out, How to Be Broke and Pause With Sam Jay and the MTV comedy show Messyness, has died. He was 32.
The comedian, actor and author whose legal name is Theadore Brown was found dead in Rancho Mirage, Calif., after Riverside County sheriff’s deputies were called and responded to a private residence in the desert community at 10 a.m. Friday, Sgt. . Brandi Swan told The Hollywood Reporter.
The Gardena, Calif., resident’s cause of death is currently unknown and is being investigated by the Riverside County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Swann.
The multi-hyphenate served as co-host of Ridiculousness spinoff Messyness – which was renewed for a second season last December – and appeared alongside reality star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, actress Tori Spelling and ice skater Adam Rippon. But Ray has also made several other scripted and reality TV appearances, including guest roles on the HBO Max series Pause With Sam Jay and voicing a character named Teddy on Comedy Central’s How to Be Broke, an animated series for which he also wrote. .
Last year, Ray appeared in an episode of Defiant Digital’s sitcom Cancel Court, where comedians battle it out on opposing sides of a mock trial to decide whether a celebrity should be ‘cancelled’. This was after she starred in a number of web series, including 2017’s Black Student Union.
As for his stand-up, the young talent has previously appeared on Wild ‘n Out, Comedy Central’s Colossal Clusterfest and HBO’s All Def Comedy. Having performed all over the country, Ray’s most recent appearances were in June and July at DC’s Comedy Loft and LA’s HaHa Comedy Club.
Ray gained internet fame through his viral “double cheek” meme, which was a parody of Diane Sawyer’s 2017 interview with Caitlyn Jenner, created by All Def Digital and Doctor Chorizo Comedy.
Following the news of his death, Ray’s friends and Hollywood talents remembered the young artist on social media.
In a statement posted on Twitter, which also featured a photo of Ray, Insecure and the Rap Sh!t creator, Issa Rae’s production company Hoorae remembered the “longtime creative partner and friend.”
“Thank you for the energy you always bring to our projects and sets!” the tweet concludes.
Rest in Power to our longtime creative partner and friend, Teddy Ray. Thanks for the energy you always bring to our projects and sets! pic.twitter.com/xPPRoDquZu — HOORAE (@HOORAEMedia) August 12, 2022 Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson took to Ray’s latest Instagram post, writing in the comments, “Heartbroken. I will miss you teddy.”
All Def, a multi-platform media company active in the fields of hip-hop, comedy and social justice, shared their “deepest condolences and prayers to his family and friends” on social media.
“All of Def Family is heartbroken and still can’t believe our brother Teddy Ray has passed away,” the label said in a statement. “We will miss him every day, but we know Heaven will laugh.”
In a tweet, Comedy Central also remembered the “beloved performer,” saying he will be “greatly missed” by the comedy community.
Other notable names in the comedy scene, including Deon Cole, Kat Williams, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, expressed their condolences on his death.
Williams called the burgeoning talent “brilliant,” writing in the comments of his latest Instagram post, “Sorry. Love you’, while Cole also replied ‘Wow’.
Daniel Baker, known professionally as Desus Nice, tweeted “rip the teddy ray he was real”. Kid Mero, whose real name is Joel Martinez, tweeted that Ray had “effortless wit.”
rip teddy ray he was real 💔 — Desus Nice (@desusnice) August 12, 2022 NO TEDDY — THE KID MERO 🇩🇴 (@THEKIDMERO) August 13, 2022
