Comic Richard Jeni Suffered with Mental Illness Before He Killed Himself

Comedian Richard Jeni Was Mentally Ill

Comic Richard Jeni had a history of mental illness before he shot himself in March, according to a coroner’s report issued yesterday. He was hospitalized involuntarily for suicidal tendencies last year, and his girlfriend told police that she overheard Jeni talking to himself a week before his death, saying “just squeeze the trigger.” A week later he did just that when she was in the house making breakfast.

According to the coronor’s report, his girlfriend told authorities that he had problems with “insomnia, paranoia and high blood pressure due to stresses of his work schedule.” He also reportedly suffered from schizophrenia and took antidepressants and a sleeping aid.

Jeni joins the ranks of funny people who have suffered from serious emotional problems. John Belushi and Chris Farley are just a couple others who met with untimely deaths. And Artie Lange, my favorite Howard Stern personality and comic, will probably join the ranks someday.