Comedian Richard Jeni Dead At 45

Mar. 11 -- Richard Jeni, a standup comedian who played to sold-out crowds and was a "Tonight Show" regular, was found dead in a West Hollywood home.

Los Angeles Police said they responded to a call from a woman Saturday morning saying her boyfriend had shot himself.

Jeni was taken to a local hospital and died sometime later from his injuries.

Jeni, who has appeared on the "The Tonight Show" numerous times and acted in the Jim Carrey movie "The Mask," was 45 years old.

The comedian starred in several HBO comedies and in 2005, he wrote some of the material for the Academy Awards hosted by his friend Chris Rock.

The Brooklyn-born comic first received national attention in 1990 with the Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City." Two years later, his "Crazy From the Heat" special attracted the highest ratings in Showtime's history.

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