The family of beloved comic Kenny DeForest gathered around him to listen to his favorite songs and childhood stories before taking him off life support.
‘Kenny’s final moments included some of his favorite songs, stories of his childhood, and memories of his extensive positivity and joy for life,’ friend and fellow comedian Ryan Beck told Deadline.
DeForest, 37, died on Wednesday night, less than a week after a horror e-bike crash near Brooklyn’s Prospect Park – at the Rogers Avenue and Sterling Place intersection.
It was initially believed the crash involved another vehicle but DeForest’s family and friends now say there was no one else involved.
Beck explained: ‘We’ve learned more information today from an EMS report. Kenny was on an e-bike and crashed.
Kenny DeForest, 37, died on Wednesday night, less than a week after a horror e-bike crash
Th deadly crash happened on December 8 at the Rogers Avenue and Sterling Place intersection in Brooklyn
‘I spoke with crossing guards at the area today, and am still in search of more information.
‘There is no police report because it was not a hit and run as first understood.’
Given the lack of an official report, it’s not clear how or why DeForest’s e-bike crashed, throwing him off and leaving him fatally injured.
DeForest’s loved ones, desperate for answers, have put up posters in the area asking for information on the crash.
The comic reportedly underwent surgery to remove a part of his skull and relieve pressure from a brain bleed at Kings County Hospital before he was removed from life support.
The Missouri native was best known for his appearances on the late night comedy circuit, including stand-up bits on Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Late Late Show with James Corden.
He had recently advertised a string of shows in his home state on his Facebook page.
In 2015, he was named by Comedy Central as one of the ‘Funniest People to Watch.’ That same year, Brooklyn Magazine named his as one of the 50 Funniest People in Brooklyn.
The Missouri native was best known for his appearances on the late night comedy circuit, including stand-up bits on Late Night with Seth Meyers
DeForest also appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden
‘Kenny DeForest was a universally beloved comedian who died tragically, and much too young. His relaxed, confident delivery always stood out,’ read a touching tribute on Late Night with Seth Meyers’ official X page.
‘As you can see from his debut late night set on LNSM, he wasn’t afraid to tackle controversial topics, but never just to be edgy- always in service of an original angle and a great joke. It’s a shame we won’t get to see what he comes up with next.’
DeForest’s friend Beck announced his death on a GoFundMe for his family, which has now raised over $170,000.
Among those who have donated are movie star Kristen Bell, as well as Saturday Night Live alum Sasheer Zamata and comedian Tim Dillon.
Adam Conover, the creator of Adam Ruins Everything, paid tribute to DeForest writing on Instagram that the comedian was ‘one of the funniest and beloved comics any of us knew.’
Conover directed his followers to view DeForest’s recent comedy special, titled You Don’t Know Who I Am?, that went out on YouTube in September.
In a 2015 interview, DeForest explained that he preferred to come up with jokes while on stages as opposed to writing them on his own because of the pressure that a live audience brought.
‘I write much better when there’s an audience in front me. I like having the added pressure to find the funny. That said, I write things on paper to get them out of my head and written down,’ the comedian said.
During the same interview, DeForest bemoaned the perils of writing jokes for social media.
‘Jokes online lack tone and context. It’s hard to be nuanced in writing. Jokes that work online tend to be simple. Usually the tweets I almost don’t tweet because of how embarrassingly dumb they are are the ones that get the most love,’ he said.
DeForest was later asked, ‘What’s on your horizon?’ In typical comedic fashion he responded: ‘Death. Same for you.’