The Boston comedy scene is mourning the death today of Kevin Knox, who performed as "the Wild Man of comedy" and had battled cancer for the past six years, and stage four melanoma and pneumonia more recently. Knox was in his 50s.
Comedians Don Gavin, Steve Sweeney, Kenny Rogerson and Jimmy Dunn had just performed in a benefit for Knoxie two Sundays ago. It was one in many fund-raisers for Knox recently; there was another featuring Lenny Clarke, Tony V, Bill Burr and Johnny Pizzi this fall at Giggles, wherein Clarke told The Daily Item about Knox: "Kevin Knox is the most courageous guy I have ever met. He is one of the kindest, sweetest men in the world. All we want to do is help Kevin any way we can." I remember hearing about Knox as soon as my newspaper career brought me to Boston in January 2005 — people told me I had to meet this guy because everyone loved him and was supporting him through his battle with cancer. He was always nice and gracious to me. I know that after I left Boston, in recent years, Knox was hosting the Monday night show at Dick Doherty's Beantown Comedy Vault — with proceeds from the door helping him in his fight.
Doherty's home page now is dedicated to Knox, reading: "Thank you Kevin Knox -for all the Love and Laughter you brought to us – We will miss your contagious spirit and will honor your love of life- Rest in Peace Funny Man"
This post will updated with funeral arrangements when they become available.
UPDATED: A celebration of Kevin Knox's life will be held Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. Visiting with the family takes place from noon to 2 p.m., with the service beginning at 2 p.m. at The Collins Center for the Performing Arts, 80 Shawsheen Road, in Andover, Mass. There is a Facebook event page for the service.
Here are a couple of videos of Knox onstage. He will be truly missed.
Rest in Peace! You will be missed tremendously!!!
Thanks for everything Kevin. A part of you helped me with the fight I had with my cancer.
We’ll miss you.
A.Z. (stage 4 colon cancer / comedian A.Z. )
Kevin showed me that comedy was fun. I can’t help thinking it will be a little less fun with out him.
RIP. The world has lost a good one.