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Robert Schimmel dies following car accident
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Comedian Robert Schimmel died Friday, Sept. 3 from injuries sustained in a car accident the week before. He was 60 years old.Last Thursday while traveling in Arizona, his 19-year-old daughter Aliyah swerved to avoid another accident in the lane she was driving in. The car she, Schimmel and his son were in flipped multiple times.
Schimmel's death was confirmed by his brother, Jeff Schimmel, on Facebook Friday night via his status update: "ROBERT SCHIMMEL. Son, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Comedian, Generous Man. I have always loved you, admired you, and was proud to be your biggest fan. I will never forget a single moment. R.I.P."
The comedian is best known for his appearances on The Howard Stern Show and was a writer for "In Living Color."
In 2000, plans for a FOX sitcom were scrapped when Schimmel (who had already survived a heart attack in 1998) was diagnosed with Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After beating cancer, he announced in January of this year that he had contracted cirrhosis from a Hepatitis C infection he had gotten from a blood transfusion.
He was currently on the transplant list waiting for a new liver.
Schimmel's sister, the artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold who makes mosaic portraits out of recycled junk mail, blogged about her brother on Wednesday and posted a Twitpic toast to him Friday evening:
Since news of his death broke through social media, it only makes sense that fellow comedians also took to Twitter to express their feelings about Schimmel's passing:"Robert Schimmel was one the first people in comedy to call when my folks were fighting cancer. No ego no bs no small talk just inspiration." -- @danecook
"I'm so sad about Robert Schimmel dying. I've been checking the news for 3 hours hoping it wasn't true. He was very funny and wonderful." -- @PENNJILLETTE
"Robert Schimmel was one of the funniest and nicest guys in comedy." -- @jimmykimmel
"F********k. I loved that dude. He was SUCH a nice guy, and f***ing hilarious." -- @joerogan
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Photo credit: FilmMagic, Sandhi Schimmel Gold
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I will miss this very funny and talented man dearly. When I first saw him in a stand-up comedy special years ago, dressed up in a business suit and introduced as "Bob Schimmel", I thought to myself, this guy isn't going to be any good. Was I ever wrong! I laughed until I had tears in my eyes; he was a brilliant comedian! Now I have tears in my eyes again, but this time it is sadness. Rest in peace, Bob.
Sad. Funny, funny guy who was plagued with problems and turned his pain into hilarious bits to share with the world.
He will be missed by all his many fans.
The Talmud says if you touch one life you save the World.
this man saved the World Many times over.
Jeffrey (Mr. Kotter) Marmon
Funny man, he will be missed by
us all, i rejoice that he is heaven,and with our Lord.
My heart is broken.I loved robert's comedy scnce i was a teen. i will miss him everyday...
We have lost our Milton Berle!
The good they Die young.
What a fantastic and inspirational comedian, Thank you for all the great Laughs Robert.
I knew women were terrible drivers. Killed by your own daughters reckless driving. How sad.
R.I.P friend
Carlin must've needed a sidekick. RIP, Bob Schimmel.