'Shameless' Star Ricarlo Flanagan, 41, Dies From COVID-19

KEY POINTS

Ricarlo Flanagan's agent confirmed the actor's death Monday
Flanagan was a semifinalist on "Last Comic Standing" season 9 in 2015
He also held recurring roles on "Shameless"

“Last Comic Standing” alum Ricarlo Flanagan has died at 41 after contracting COVID-19. His agent, Stu Golfman, confirmed his passing Monday night.

Flanagan passed away over the weekend due to respiratory disease, Golfman told Variety. While he did not give further details about his demise, he said he was heartbroken by his death.

“Sadly, this pandemic has taken the life of an extremely talented performer and even nicer human being. Ricarlo will be greatly missed,” he said. “Ricarlo was truly one of the nicest people on the planet, a wonderful performer and we are heartbroken by the news of his passing,” he added.

Friends of Flanagan have set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to get him home to his family in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as to provide assistance to the bereaved family. The campaign describes Flanagan as “a loving son, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend with many amazing talents.”

“The news of a loved one’s death is never something easy to hear, let alone if you are far away from the individual,” the description read. “Our dear friend has suddenly passed away and sadly was far from his family. Ricarlo Flanagan was a loving son, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend with many amazing talents. He brought laughter to every room he walked in.”

The “Shameless” actor and comedian’s first foray into comedy was in 2007, when he stumbled upon an advertisement for comedy classes on a telephone pole in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After attending one class, he decided to pursue a career in stand-up comedy.

He rose to fame after becoming a semifinalist on “Last Comic Standing” Season 9 in 2015. He then went on to appear in comedies such as “The Mick,” “The Carmichael Show,” “Kidding,” and “The Neighborhood” and held recurring roles on “Shameless” and the Disney XD show “Walk the Prank.”

Before his death, Flanagan landed his first film role on “Emily the Criminal,” which also starred Aubrey Plaza. On Sept. 27, he announced on his Instagram that his fourth album, “Both Sides of the Brain,” would be released in October.