Beloved Actor, Comedian Dead At 41

Beloved comedian and actor Alex Duong, who appeared on Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle and had a role on Blue Bloods, has died following a yearlong fight with cancer, TMZ reported. He was 42.

Hilarie Steele, a close family friend who was with Duong at the end, told TMZ he went into septic shock Friday night and died at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by family and friends.

Duong was diagnosed last year with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, after suffering headaches behind one eye, according to the report. After a biopsy, the tumor was described as extremely aggressive. Duong later wore an eye patch while undergoing treatment.

Alex Duong

Comedians rallied around him as his condition worsened. In August, performers including Ronny Chieng and Atsuko Okatsuka took part in a benefit at the Largo in Los Angeles titled “The Alex Duong Has Cancer In His Eye Comedy Benefit Show.”

A GoFundMe organized by Steele was launched during Duong’s fight as he worked to regain his sight. The campaign is now aimed at supporting Duong’s family, including his 5-year-old daughter, Everest, and his wife, Cristina.

Duong’s death is the latest reminder of how fast life can turn, even for someone whose job was making people laugh. Friends and fans online have been sharing condolences and memories of his work, as his family mourns and supporters continue raising money to help those he leaves behind.

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