John Mulrooney: A Comedy Legend and Voice of a Generation
John Mulrooney, the beloved stand-up comedian, radio personality, and former Late Show host, has died suddenly at 67, leaving the comedy world in shock. According to Albany’s Times Union, Mulrooney passed away at his home in Coxsackie, New York, on December 29, 2025. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and friends describe the loss as completely unexpected.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Mulrooney rose through the gritty comedy circuit of the early 1980s, performing at legendary clubs like Dangerfield’s and Sheepshead Bay. By the late ’80s, he had made his mark in Hollywood at The Improv and The Laugh Factory. His big break came in 1987 when he briefly stepped in for Joan Rivers as host of The Late Show, cementing his reputation as a fearless performer with razor-sharp timing.
Mulrooney’s career spanned every corner of entertainment. He appeared on Comic Strip Live, Comedy Tonight, An Evening at the Improv, and The Valentine’s Day Massacre with Andrew Dice Clay. He competed on Star Search, starred in Midtown North on Comedy Central, guest-starred on Ellen and The Good Life, and hosted shows including Fox’s King of the Mountain and The Pat Sajak Show.
Returning to New York, Mulrooney became a radio powerhouse. He co-hosted The John and Abbey Show on 105.1 “The Buzz,” later paired with Bob “The Wolf” Wohlfeld on Wolf and Mulrooney in the Morning at WPYX. His distinctive voice remained a staple across WPDH and iHeartRadio, connecting with listeners across the East Coast.
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