Greg Giraldo, Comedian and Former Harvard Law Alumnus, Dies

Insult comic Gregory C. Giraldo, Harvard Law ’90, died on Wednesday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. at the age of 44, according to the New York Times.

Giraldo had been in the hospital since last Saturday night after he was found unconscious in his hotel room in New Brunswick. Citing the New Brunswick police, the Home News Tribune of East Brunswick reported that he had suffered from a drug overdose. His family has declined to release the cause of death.

Giraldo was primarily known for his scathing, rant-filled humor. He was successful as a standup comedian. He toured the country and made appearances on talk shows, such as “The Late Show with David Letterman” and the “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” However, it was his returning role on Comedy Central’s “Roast” series that drew much of his acclaim. Given his penchant for insult humor, the role was a perfect fit as he lampooned celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, David Hasselhoff, and William Shatner.

Despite his image as a brutal humorist, Giraldo practiced as a lawyer before giving up the profession completely and turning to comedy.

Photo courtesy of FotoPhest/Wikimedia Commons.