Beloved stand-up comedian, radio personality, and television veteran John Mulrooney has died unexpectedly at age 67, according to the Albany Times Union. He passed away at his home in Coxsackie, New York, on December 29, 2025. His cause of death has not been released.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mulrooney rose through the 1980s comedy scene, performing at iconic clubs before becoming a familiar TV face. In 1987, he briefly replaced Joan Rivers as host of The Late Show and appeared on numerous programs including Comic Strip Live, Star Search, The New Hollywood Squares, and An Evening at the Improv. He also hosted The Pat Sajak Show and Fox’s King of the Mountain, and starred in Comedy Central’s Midtown North.
After returning to New York, Mulrooney became a major radio figure, co-hosting popular morning shows on stations including WPYX, WPDH, and iHeartRadio. He continued performing stand-up well into 2025.
Outside entertainment, Mulrooney served 14 years as a police officer while regularly performing comedy for first responders nationwide. Tributes poured in following his death, including from Adam Sandler, who praised his commanding stage presence, and Steven Van Zandt, who called his passing “completely unexpected.”
His obituary remembered him as a devoted public servant, loyal friend, and comedian whose voice and spirit left a lasting impact on countless lives.