A group of comedy giants have come together to assist in the preparation of Paul Mooney’s memorial service. As TMZ reported, Tiffany Haddish, Chris Tucker, David Letterman and other comedians are helping to ensure Mooney’s life is celebrated in the right way.
Haddish and actress Marla Gibbs will physically attend the service, while Tucker and George Wallace are expected to honor the comedy veteran virtually. Additionally, Letterman, the Angela & John Witherspoon Foundation, actor Tim Reid, comedian J. Anthony Brown, and Richard and Tina Lawson have all contributed toward the cost of the event, which will be held on June 23.
The news of Mooney’s death circulated the internet last month after journalist Roland Martin shared the information on Twitter. “Rudy Ealy, the cousin of [Paul Mooney], told me that Paul had been suffering with dementia for some time and had been living with him,” he wrote. “Rudy said Oakland paramedics valiantly tried to save him after suffering a heart attack this AM.”
Tributes from fans and peers around the world immediately followed. The City of Oakland, where Mooney is from, decided to commemorate him by declaring May 19 “Paul Mooney Day.” The Laugh Factory, a Hollywood comedy club he frequented throughout his career, also paid homage to the “Chappelle’s Show” star with an event that saw the comedian’s loved ones sharing their fondest memories of him.
Based on Chappelle’s reaction to his friend’s loss, there may be more tributes to come. The 8:46 star said he is going to continue celebrating Mooney’s life and accomplishments to the comedy world.
“The best that ever did it passed away,” Chappelle told TMZ following Mooney’s death. “His legacy will live forever. He did everything from ‘The Richard Pryor Show’ to the ‘Chappelle’s Show.’ He was one of the first Black people ever in the Writer’s Guild [of America]. Paul Mooney will be sorely missed and wildly remembered. I’ll see to that.”