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This is no laughing matter. Comedian Patrice O'Neal has suffered a stroke, his friend and fellow comic Jim Norton announced Wednesday morning on The Opie & Anthony Show.
According to the Huffington Post, Norton and fellow comedians Colin Quinn, Robert Kelly, Rich Vos and Keith Robinson said that the 41-year-old stand-up comedian, radio personality and actor -- who recently roasted Charlie Sheen -- suffered the stroke Oct. 19 and is still in the hospital.
"We're all here to let people know that one of our really, really good friends fell ill, fell sick," Norton said. "Patrice O'Neal had a stroke."
The worst part? Norton and the rest are not sure whether O'Neal is going to recover.
"We don't know how he is. It's too soon to tell. Anybody who knows about strokes, it takes a while sometimes, we just don't know. We don't know how he is going to be," said Norton. "I wish we had more news for you."
He added that he and his comedian pals "wanted (the news) to come from us," which is why they shared it on the air.
The Opie & Anthony Show subsequently posted a status update on their Facebook page telling fans how they can send their well-wishes to O'Neal and his family.
"Our close friend Patrice O'Neal suffered a stroke last week. Please respect his family and their request for privacy," the statement reads. "An email has been set up for fans to send him well wishes and his family will make sure he gets them. You can write to LoveForPatrice@gmail.com. When we have an update on his condition, we will let you all know."
O'Neal currently lives and performs in the New York area. His first hour-long special, called Elephant in the Room, aired on Comedy Central air in February. He was most recently seen on the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen in September, where he weathered a deluge of jokes about his long-term battle with diabetes. We wish him a speedy recovery.
