Waymond Lee dead at 72: Workaholics star dies weeks after ALS diagnosis

Waymond Lee, widely recognized for his role on Comedy Central’s Workaholics, has died at the age of 72.

Lee’s wife, Diane, and his sister, Norine, shared the news, revealing that the actor passed away on Wednesday, December 18 due to complications from ALS, per TMZ.

Lee’s health problems began in late October when he was diagnosed with a degenerative brain disorder. However, additional testing earlier this month confirmed ALS as the underlying cause.

After spending just over a week at home, Lee returned to the hospital due to trouble breathing and swallowing, according to the outlet.

His loved ones said he spent several days in the hospital before he died, with Diane by his side.

A cult-favorite sitcom that aired from 2011 to 2017, Workaholics followed three slacker friends navigating adulthood at a telemarketing company, with Lee gaining recognition for his role as Waymond, affectionately known as Old Way Way.

Waymond Lee, widely recognized for his role on Comedy Central’s Workaholics, has died at the age of 72.

Lee’s wife, Diane, and his sister, Norine, shared the news, revealing that the actor passed away on Wednesday, December 18 due to complications from ALS, according to TMZ.

Describing him as “gentle” and “sentimental”, his family praised Lee’s dedication to acting and his willingness to go the extra mile, noting that he never complained about long hours on set.

It appears that Lee did not have a significant social media presence, with his last tweet dating back to 2014.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells that control voluntary muscles, leading to muscle weakness and eventual paralysis.

The disease is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease and is named after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed in 1939.

Born on March 7, 1952, Lee appeared in more than half of the 86 episodes of Workaholics, solidifying his place as a fan favorite on the show.

The show also starred Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, Anders Holm and Jillian Bell.

The sitcom aired from 2011 to 2017.

In addition to his memorable role on Workaholics, Waymond Lee showed his versatility with a string of credits in television and film.

A cult-favorite sitcom that aired from 2011 to 2017, Workaholics followed three slacker friends as they entered adulthood at a telemarketing company, with Lee gaining recognition for his role as Waymond, affectionately known as Old Way Way.

His family described him as “gentle” and “sentimental” and praised Lee’s dedication to acting and his willingness to go the extra mile, noting that he never complained about long hours on set; (seen in 2023)

His work has included appearances in critically acclaimed projects such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, Zombie Apocalypse, The Thundermans, Other People, Veep and The Cleaning Lady.

Workaholics debuted on Comedy Central in 2011 and quickly gained a devoted following for its offbeat humor and relatable portrayal of millennial slacker culture.

The series lasted seven seasons and was praised for its sharp writing and comedic chemistry of its core cast.

Although not a top contender, the show became a cult classic, celebrated for its irreverent tone and memorable supporting characters like Waymond’s Old Way Way.

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