Rahn Ramey, a stand-up comedian who worked the road and survived the comedy boom of the late 1980s, died on June 9 following a three-year battle with colorectal cancer.
He was 58.
From St. Louis, Ramey had made his home in New Orleans in recent years. He’d created “The Official Rahn Ramey is ‘ok’ page” on Facebook “because my manager and daughter said so,” he posted in 2011 — not necessarily about his health, but “because after one of the best shows I ever had a woman said I was “OK” so let us prove it, bitch!”
He also gave an interview to the St. Louis American that summer of 2011, telling the paper about his cancer diagnosis following many years already living with Crohn’s: “I might be frightened, but I’m not scared.”
His TV credits included “An Evening at the Improv” and HBO’s Comedy Relief.
He was probably better known to other headliners and feature acts as a road guy. As some of them posted on Facebook over the past week…
Allan Havey: “Rahn was a great comedian and one of the smartest guys I’ve ever known. He was a gentlemen by every definition of the word. I remember hanging in Tahoe with Rahn and his best friends from his St. Louis days. What a great night that was. My heart goes out to his family and many friends. He was a true original and good God he could tear up a room.”
Jimmy Shubert: “Sad news indeed R.I.P. Rahn Ramey a world class comedian and a first class human being.”
Greg Warren: “He was a funny man. He had a rhythm that could flat out level an audience. He was very good to me when I started out as a comedian. I remember early in my career I was opening for him. I had left my notebook out on a table where the comics sat. When I got home, there was a simple note in the book – “Nice job – Ramey”. It meant a lot to me at that time. Still does. Rest in peace, Rahn.”
St. Louis podcast Tackling Tough Issues also paid tribute to Rahn Ramey with local personalities.
Here’s a clip of Ramey in his hometown back in 2008, talking about St. Louis drivers treat yellow lights differently. He also mentions how often he still was on the road five years ago.
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Rahn was a good man & such a pro on stage and off. Our week in Wichita was memorable for so many reasons it’s ridiculous.
I feel really bad i lost touch with Rahn. In the 1970ties i went too Roosevelt high school with him. He was heavy in school productions and plays i played Football for the Rough Riders. In the 1980ties our paths would crossagain. He worked with me as a correctional officer in STLouis before his comic career took. I moved out St Louis but before i did i went to one of his comedian show. He recognized and embarrasingly call me out “Hey mike how have you been.he told everyone we worked together”. I think he ofcourse made a joke but it was nice of him. He was always a smart class guy. I live bery far now in the Phillippines. God bless his family and friends. Sorry to hear just now of his loss. Your old Friend Michael Doss
I remember Rohn before he became a comedian. I had a clothing store on Washinton ave back in the early 70’s. He was by far my best sales person.. He crack me up when he was talking to a customer. The customer always bought from him, ALWAYS!! He was a character. Great guy.. Rest in PEACE, my friend..
I just found out this past weekend that Rahn passed. I met him when I worked part time at the Funny Bone in Pittsburgh PA. He was always a class act. Always immaculately dressed, smooth suave and a gentleman. RIP my brother.