Comedian Kenny DeForest dies aged 37 after horror e-bike crash in NYC following failed skull surgery for a brain bleed

Beloved comedian Kenny DeForest tragically died Wednesday, less than a week after being hospitalized following a horrific crash in Brooklyn. He was 37 years old.

According to a GoFundMe On the page set up by DeForest's friends, the comedian was riding his e-bike when the December 8 crash occurred. He died five days later at Kings County Hospital.

DeForest was best known to mainstream audiences for his appearances on the late night comedy circuit, including stand-up bits on Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Doctors tried to relieve pressure on his brain by removing a piece of skull, but the operation was unsuccessful. The money raised will go towards helping his family pay medical expenses.

Deadline reports that the crash occurred in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. Friends and family initially believed DeForest was killed when his bicycle was hit by another car, but the ambulance report made no reference to any other vehicle being involved.

In 2020, DeForest went viral when he told a story about Dave Chappelle appearing at a performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn and discussing police brutality against people of color with the audience.

The crash happened here, along Sterling Place, in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood. The cause is still under investigation

'We received more information today from an ambulance report. Kenny was on an e-bike and crashed. I spoke to cross guards in the area today and am still looking for more information. There is no police report because it was not a hit and run as first believed,” his friend Ryan Beck told the website.

“He was a great person and comedian. All of us in the New York comedy scene are truly devastated,” Beck added.

DeForest, a native of Springfield, Missouri, recently promoted a series of shows in his home state on his Facebook page. In high school and college, DeForest was known as a basketball star.

In 2015, he was named one of Comedy Central's “Funniest People to Watch.” That same year, Brooklyn Magazine named him one of the 50 funniest people in Brooklyn.

“Kenny DeForest was a widely beloved comedian who died tragically and far too young. His relaxed, confident performance always stood out,” read a moving tribute on Late Night with Seth Meyers' official X page.

“As you can tell from his late night debut on LNSM, he wasn't afraid to tackle controversial topics, but never just be edgy – always in service of an original angle and a great joke. It's a shame we don't get to see what he comes up with next.'

DeForest pictured with James Corden backstage in 2019

The official Twitter account for Late Nigh with Seth Meyers paid tribute to DeForest with this post

Late night host Jimmy Kimmel retweeted DeForest's story about Dave Chappelle in 2020

At the time of writing, DeForest's crowdfunding page has raised nearly $180,000. Among those who donated are movie star Kristen Bell, as well as Saturday Night Live alum Sasheer Zamata and comedian Tim Dillon.

In 2020, DeForest went viral when he told a story about Dave Chappelle appearing at a performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn and discussing police brutality against people of color with the audience.

Adam Conover, creator of Adam Ruins Everything, paid tribute to DeForest, writing on Instagram that the comedian was “one of the funniest and most beloved comics we knew.”

Conover ordered his followers to view DeForest's recent comedy specialtitled You Don't Know Who I Am?, which was released on YouTube in September.

“What I'd give for one more car ride together, taking turns playing songs for each other, me laughing at him for being a little too hippie and young, and him laughing at me for being a little too bitter and old. Just look at that smile. I will never forget you Kenny Deforest,” wrote fellow comedian James Fritz.

“Kenny DeForest was always a clown. A bright light. You will be missed,” Atsuko Okatsuka tweeted.