Comedian Mitch Hedberg Dies at 37

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor

Sad news struck the entertainment world when it was announced that comedian Mitch Hedberg died of a heart attack while in a New Jersey hotel room. He was 37 years old.

A Minnesota native, Hedberg had recently seen a huge rise in popularity and was beginning to garner a great deal of credit for the revival stand-up comedy has seen in the last few years. His two CD releases (1999's "Strategic Grill Locations" and 2003's "Mitch All Together") racked up an impressive number of sales, fueled by the strength of his special on Comedy Central, a successful stint on the popular Lewis Black/Dave Attell tour last year and countless smash performances on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

Hedberg had an admitted problem with drugs and alcohol, one that was repeatedly addressed in the media and in his own stage act. This problem, however, has yet to be connected with his death. The comedian's mother, Mary Hedberg, was quick to note that the speculation that her son's death was drug-related was purely gossip. "We don't know that for a fact," she said, but also added, "it's not a secret Mitch used drugs. Whether that played a role in his death or not, we don't know." Mrs. Hedberg also went on record that her son was born with a heart defect and frequently felt anxious about his condition. A report from a medical examiner is still pending at this time.

Hedberg's style, which had often been compared to Steven Wright, was loved and admired by fans of comedy. The comedian was particularly popular with those in their late teens and early twenties, something that led to many successful appearances on college campuses nationwide. This wide and loyal fan base was something that Hedberg was tremendously grateful for. In fact, when a group of college students in Florida, speaking with Hedberg backstage after a show, mentioned how hot their dorm room was, Hedberg surprised them the next morning by showing up at their dorm with a brand new air conditioner.

"He had a heart of gold," his mother said. "He was a brilliant comic and a wonderful person."

Hedberg is survived by his wife, comedian Lynn Shawcroft, his father and mother, Arne and Mary Hedberg of St. Paul, and sisters Wendy Brown of Woodbury and Angie Anderson of South St. Paul. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Woodbury Funeral Chapel, 2195 Woodlane Drive, in Woodbury. Visitation continues an hour before services 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4125 Woodbury Drive in Woodbury. The family is asking for memorials in lieu of flowers. Burial will be private.

Mitch Hedberg Quotes:

• "I once saw a forklift lift a crate of forks. And it was way too literal for me."

• "I would imagine if you understood Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy."

• "You know when they have a fishing show on TV? They catch the fish and then let it go. They don't want to eat the fish; they just want to make it late for something."

• "I haven't slept for 10 days, because that would be too long."

• "I love blackjack. But I'm not addicted to gambling. I'm addicted to sitting in a semicircle."

• "One time a guy handed me a picture of himself, and he said, 'Here's a picture of me when I was younger.' Every picture of you is of when you were younger. 'Here's a picture of me when I'm older.' How'd you pull that off? Let me see that camera."

• "I think foosball is a combination of soccer and shishkebabs."

More Mitch Hedberg quotes on WikiQuote