Comedian Receives Death Threats After Making Fun Of Kobe Bryant's Passing

A stand-up comedian raved about Kobe Bryant’s death, and now he is paying the price.

Ari Shaffir, an American comic artist, is currently on the receiving end of several death threats after his video flaunted him at a celebratory mood following the tragedy that cost the life of Bryant and eight others, including the basketball legend’s daughter Gianna.

TMZ Sports gathered from their sources that the threats have forced the cancellation of shows in clubs where Shaffir was supposed to perform, including one at the New York City Comedy Club where the comedian was scheduled to hit the mic at 9:15 pm Tuesday. The sources added that the club even went as far as calling the authorities because of the piling number of phoned-in death scares.

“Our sources say someone called threatening to shoot up the place because a comedian scheduled to perform there made a vile joke about Kobe,” the report from TMZ Sports wrote. “We're told the caller didn't mention Shaffir by name, but it's no secret -- he DID stir anger just hours after Kobe's death. Our law enforcement sources say the shows were canceled by the club due to numerous threatening calls.”

In the said video, Shaffir took a shot at Bryant’s past rape case while expressing his hate towards the Los Angeles Lakers – all these he showed while being on a high-spirited mocking tenor as the rest of the world, or at least most, mourned.

"Kobe Bryant died 23 years too late today. He got away with rape because all the Hollywood liberals who attack comedy enjoy rooting for the Lakers more than they dislike rape. Big ups to the hero who forgot to gas up his chopper. I hate the Lakers. What a great day!" the comedian said.

The report then added that the club in New York has already filed a complaint with the NYPD for aggravated harassment. The case is being investigated when the article was posted.

Apart from the threats, the report also revealed that Shaffir has already been axed by his talent agency due to the incident.

In a response Instagram post, Shaffir explained his side of the story and insisted that everything he said was just all fun and games as he normally does the same whenever a celebrity dies.

“Every time a beloved celebrity dies, I post some horrible s*** about them. I’ve been doing it for years now. I like destroying gods. And right when a famous person dies, they’re at their most worshipped. So as a response to all the outpouring of sympathy on social media, I post something vile. It’s just a joke. I don’t really hate any of the people,” he said.