Comedian Louie Anderson Dead At 68

Comedian Louie Anderson has passed away.

The three-time Emmy winner was only 68 years old. He passed away on Friday, January 21, 2022, in Las Vegas.

Multiple sources have reported that he had been hospitalized earlier this week to diffuse large B cell lymphoma. He reportedly succumbed to blood cancer early on Friday morning.

Louis Anderson was a stand-up comedian, actor, author, and game show host. He initially made his network debut in 1984, as a stand-up comedian on "The Tonight Show."

In 1986, he had a small role in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and appeared in the comedy "Showtime" a year later. In 1988, he had a role in the Eddie Murphy comedy "Coming to America" and reprised his role in the sequel that debuted last year.

In 1995, he created and produced a Saturday-morning animated series called "Life With Louie," which was based on his childhood growing up with ten siblings. The show was a hit with Fox and gave Louie two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program. A year later, he created and starred in "The Louie Show" for CBS, although it was canceled after six episodes.

He was the initial host of the third revival of "Family Feud" from 1999 to 2002. The show is now being hosted by comedian Steve Harvey.

His role as Christine Baskets in the FX comedy series "Baskets," lead to three consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He won only once in 2016.

He also performed a stand-up show called "Louie: Larger Than Life" in Las Vegas from 2003 to 2012. Louie has also made appearances in many television shows, including "Scrubs," "Grace Under Fire," "Touched by an Angel," and Chicago Hope."

Many celebrities took to Twitter to express their shock at Louie Anderon's sudden passing.

Comedian John Di Domenicotweeted, “Very sorry to hear about the passing of @LouieAnderson, living here in Las Vegas I got to meet him many times and even share the stage with him. He was the sweetest, nicest guy. Great comedian and a fantastic actor.”

Comedian Pauly Shore tweeted, Attention comedians and @TheComedyStore alumni’s I say this with a heavy heart just left the hospital in Las Vegas where Louie Anderson his sisters and close friend were kind enough to let me say my goodbyes he’s still with us but keep him in your prayers.”

Actor Michael McKeantweeted, “Baskets was such a phenomenal ‘second act’ for Louie Anderson. I wish he’d gotten a third. RIP.”

Director Travon Free tweeted, “Louie Anderson was a very dear friend and one of the people who very early in my career believed in me and would put me and a couple of other comics he loved up in a hotel in Vegas and pay us to open for him when we needed money. What a huge loss. Rest in peace my friend.”

Author Tim Tyrrell tweeted, “Oh Louie, this is sad. We laughed so hard in the studio when we brought our show to Vegas. I love this picture of us from 8 years and 70 lbs ago. Rest In Peace. #LouieAnderson”