Comedian Jak Knight dead at 28
July 16, 2022 Andrew Buss Features, In Memoriam, Jak Knight, News
Some sad news for the comedy community. Comedian Jak Knight – a hilarious up-and-coming comic whose star had been on the rise – has passed away at the age of 28. He reportedly died Thursday night of undisclosed reasons.
Knight had been having a pretty good years professionally the last two years. He had created the Peacock series Bust Down alongside Sam Jay and Langston Kerman. He also starred in the series alongside Jay, Kerman, and Chris Redd.
Knight also had appeared on Jay’s HBO series Pause with Sam Jay, for which he was also a credited writer on. In 2017, he also started working on Big Mouth as a writer and the voice of DeVon. He also just completed filming a part in Chelsea Peretti’s debut directorial film First Time Female Director.
He also had a Netflix 15-minute special come out in 2018 as part of The Comedy Lineup and had been a coveted New Face of Comedy at Just For Laughs. We guarantee that even bigger and better things would have been coming from Knight over time. He was definitely a comedian to keep an eye on.
UPDATE: Knight’s death has been ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. If you or a friend is struggling, you can get help and call the newly formed national suicide hotline at 988.
As always, the comedy community took to social media to pay tribute to Knight.
RIP to Jak Knight. We taped Netflix specials together years ago. He was an incredibly funny original voice in comedy and a great guy who will be sorely missed.
— Tim Dillon (@TimJDillon) July 16, 2022
I’m in shock. There was no one like Jak Knight. A singular talent, actually funny and a genuinely kind person, a rare combo. I just can’t believe this at all.
— Joel Kim Booster (@ihatejoelkim) July 16, 2022
It still doesn’t feel real. Comedy won’t be the same without you and it hurts so much. RIP Jak Knight.
— Josh Johnson (@JoshJohnson) July 16, 2022
Jak was hilarious. Brutally sad. Sorry for his family and close friends.
— Dan Soder (@DanSoder) July 16, 2022
God bless Jak Knight
— James Austin Johnson (@shrimpJAJ) July 16, 2022
Stand up is so fucked up because we surround ourselves with dope people that we never make an effort to see more often because we always assume we’ll see each other around. Jak Knight was such a force. I don’t know what to say. RIP.
— IFY (@IfyNwadiwe) July 16, 2022
Sad to hear about Jak Knight. I did open mics with him when he was just a shy kid with a backpack and we all knew he was already a star. A big loss for comedy.
— Erica Rhodes (@ericarhodes) July 16, 2022
Our heart breaks for the comedy community. Jak Knight was a brilliant comic, writer, and actor who was just getting started. Our prayers are with his family and friends. Remind those you care about that you love them. Rest Well Jak. pic.twitter.com/5IPCkKT6ze
— All Things Comedy (@allthingscomedy) July 16, 2022
Whenever I was on a lineup with Jak Knight, I knew it was going to be a wildly funny night. Always loved watching him over the last decade. He was winning big, all of it well deserved, so witty and memorable every moment onstage and off. A painful loss to comedy.
— James Adomian (@JAdomian) July 16, 2022
I don’t know what to say about Jak Knight that he wouldn’t make fun of me for. But you were so incredibly loved and respected. There will never be anyone quite like you 💔
— Dani Fernandez (@msdanifernandez) July 16, 2022
Crushed by the passing of Jak Knight. Watch Bust Down NOW. I was lucky enough to spend years writing with and for Jak, and we taped our Netflix sets the same night. Such a fucking funny, surprising, kind, weird, singular talent. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.
— Max Silvestri (@maxsilvestri) July 16, 2022
Jak Knight was very funny. We didn't know each other well, but he was kind. Would roast you in a way that made you feel included.
— Ian Abramson (@ianabramson) July 15, 2022
Several years ago a young Jak Knight began coming into our open mics & it was clear from the beginning he was special. Jak was a tremendous writer & performer, years ahead of his age. He had a lot more to say and we're heartbroken we won't get to hear it. We love you forever Jak. pic.twitter.com/NFnCa87eTV
— Hollywood Improv (@HollywoodImprov) July 16, 2022
Jak Knight was a hysterical and honest comedian. We will miss him tremendously. pic.twitter.com/F1dQEjT5GV
— comedycentral (@ComedyCentral) July 15, 2022
