Mitch Hedburg By: Tyler Natywary

Facts Born February 24, 1968) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Born February 24, 1968) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Died March 29, 2005 (aged 37) Livingston, New Jersey Died March 29, 2005 (aged 37) Livingston, New Jersey Medium stand-up, film Medium stand-up, film Nationality American Nationality American Years active Years active Genres Observational comedy, Surreal humor, Word play Genres Observational comedy, Surreal humor, Word play Spouse Lynn Shawcroft Spouse Lynn Shawcroft Notable works and roles Mitch All Together Strategic Grill Locations Do You Believe in Gosh? Notable works and roles Mitch All Together Strategic Grill Locations Do You Believe in Gosh? Website Website

Biography Early life Early life Mitch Hedberg was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the son of Arnold and Mary Hedberg. He graduated from Harding High School in Saint Paul and was married to Canadian comedian Lynn Shawcroft on February 25, Mitch Hedberg was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the son of Arnold and Mary Hedberg. He graduated from Harding High School in Saint Paul and was married to Canadian comedian Lynn Shawcroft on February 25, Career Career Hedberg began his career in 1989 playing open mic nights in southern Florida. Two years later, in 1991, he moved to Seattle, where, due to his continued efforts, his popularity increased. However, Hedberg did encounter some degree of difficulty; he suffered from intense glossophobia, which sometimes led him to perform with his eyes closed. Hedberg began his career in 1989 playing open mic nights in southern Florida. Two years later, in 1991, he moved to Seattle, where, due to his continued efforts, his popularity increased. However, Hedberg did encounter some degree of difficulty; he suffered from intense glossophobia, which sometimes led him to perform with his eyes closed. He first achieved national exposure in 1996, performing at the prestigious Just for Laughs Montreal International Comedy Festival, which aired on Comedy Central. Hedberg appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman 10 times and became one of the show's most successful American comedians. His eyes were closed during the just for laughs festival portion that was taped and aired on CBC and the Comedy Network He first achieved national exposure in 1996, performing at the prestigious Just for Laughs Montreal International Comedy Festival, which aired on Comedy Central. Hedberg appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman 10 times and became one of the show's most successful American comedians. His eyes were closed during the just for laughs festival portion that was taped and aired on CBC and the Comedy Network Hedberg could be heard as the voice of Jimmy John's radio advertisements during the months leading up to and after his death. He was also the voice of the Atlanta Thrashers "Hockey Love" ad campaign in 2002–2003. Every performance of the Insomniac tour, headed by Hedberg's friend and former tour-mate Dave Attell, featured a toast to Hedberg at the end of the show. Hedberg could be heard as the voice of Jimmy John's radio advertisements during the months leading up to and after his death. He was also the voice of the Atlanta Thrashers "Hockey Love" ad campaign in 2002–2003. Every performance of the Insomniac tour, headed by Hedberg's friend and former tour-mate Dave Attell, featured a toast to Hedberg at the end of the show. He appeared in the 2005 film Lords of Dogtown; the film, released after his death, was dedicated to his memory. He appeared in the 2005 film Lords of Dogtown; the film, released after his death, was dedicated to his memory. Death Death Late in the evening on March 29, 2005, Hedberg was found dead in his hotel room in Livingston, New Jersey. His death was confirmed by the St. Paul Pioneer Press later in the day. Late in the evening on March 29, 2005, Hedberg was found dead in his hotel room in Livingston, New Jersey. His death was confirmed by the St. Paul Pioneer Press later in the day. Hedberg was known to be a drug user, referring to it in some of his jokes ("I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too"). Hedberg was arrested in Austin, Texas, in May 2003 for possession of heroin. He was also born with a heart defect for which he received extensive treatment as a child. It was initially speculated that this condition may have played a part in his death until the New Jersey medical examiner's office reported "multiple drug toxicity", in the form of a cocaine and heroin "speedball", as the official cause of death. His funeral was held at St. Ambrose of Woodbury Church in Minnesota. Hedberg was known to be a drug user, referring to it in some of his jokes ("I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too"). Hedberg was arrested in Austin, Texas, in May 2003 for possession of heroin. He was also born with a heart defect for which he received extensive treatment as a child. It was initially speculated that this condition may have played a part in his death until the New Jersey medical examiner's office reported "multiple drug toxicity", in the form of a cocaine and heroin "speedball", as the official cause of death. His funeral was held at St. Ambrose of Woodbury Church in Minnesota.

Style Hedberg was set apart from his stand-up comedy peers by many traits, including his unique manner of speech (particularly the infrequency with which he used contractions), a style he adopted later in his career, his abrupt delivery, and an unusual stage presence. His jokes focused largely on wordplay, non-sequiturs, and object observations. His act usually consisted equally of compact one- or two-liners similar to the style of Steven Wright in addition to longer routines, often with each line as a punchline. Many of his jokes stemmed from his everyday thoughts or situations. Hedberg was set apart from his stand-up comedy peers by many traits, including his unique manner of speech (particularly the infrequency with which he used contractions), a style he adopted later in his career, his abrupt delivery, and an unusual stage presence. His jokes focused largely on wordplay, non-sequiturs, and object observations. His act usually consisted equally of compact one- or two-liners similar to the style of Steven Wright in addition to longer routines, often with each line as a punchline. Many of his jokes stemmed from his everyday thoughts or situations. As a result of his stage fright, Hedberg often performed wearing sunglasses, with his head down, with his hair in his face or with his eyes closed in order to avoid eye contact with the audience. He would often stand upstage during performances or perform with his back to the audience. He would also constantly move in one spot and, when holding the mic in some skits, uncontrollably shake it as a result of his nervousness. As a result of his stage fright, Hedberg often performed wearing sunglasses, with his head down, with his hair in his face or with his eyes closed in order to avoid eye contact with the audience. He would often stand upstage during performances or perform with his back to the audience. He would also constantly move in one spot and, when holding the mic in some skits, uncontrollably shake it as a result of his nervousness. Hedberg occasionally added disclaimers to the end of jokes to let the audience know that his reaction to the joke was not unlike theirs. Hedberg occasionally added disclaimers to the end of jokes to let the audience know that his reaction to the joke was not unlike theirs. Hedberg most notably acknowledged when jokes were very poorly delivered or received in the form of a resigned "all right." He also toyed with his audiences after a joke did not gain the reception he had intended, occasionally quipping, "That joke's better than you acted." During recordings for CDs, he would often joke that he would find a way to edit a failed joke to make it seem well received, such as "adding" laughter to the end of a joke about numbers. Following a failed joke on Strategic Grill Locations, Hedberg suggested, "All right...that joke is going to be good because I'm going to take all the words out and add new words. That joke will be fixed." Hedberg most notably acknowledged when jokes were very poorly delivered or received in the form of a resigned "all right." He also toyed with his audiences after a joke did not gain the reception he had intended, occasionally quipping, "That joke's better than you acted." During recordings for CDs, he would often joke that he would find a way to edit a failed joke to make it seem well received, such as "adding" laughter to the end of a joke about numbers. Following a failed joke on Strategic Grill Locations, Hedberg suggested, "All right...that joke is going to be good because I'm going to take all the words out and add new words. That joke will be fixed." Comedy Central Records announced the release of the first album of new Mitch Hedberg material on June 10, The CD, titled Do You Believe in Gosh? was released September 9, 2008, and contains material recorded at the Improv in Ontario, California in January Hedberg's wife Lynn wrote the introduction, in which she stated that the performance was in preparation for an end of the year CD recording. Comedy Central Records announced the release of the first album of new Mitch Hedberg material on June 10, The CD, titled Do You Believe in Gosh? was released September 9, 2008, and contains material recorded at the Improv in Ontario, California in January Hedberg's wife Lynn wrote the introduction, in which she stated that the performance was in preparation for an end of the year CD recording.

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