An excellent radio man and an even better stand-up comic.
That’s how friends and fans describe John Mulrooney.
Sadly, Albany’s Times Union now reports that the comedian and former Late Show host-turned-police officer has died at 67.
Beloved stand-up comedian, radio personality, and late-night television veteran John Mulrooney has died suddenly at the age of 67, leaving the comedy world stunned and heartbroken.
According to Albany’s Times Union, Mulrooney died at his home in Coxsackie, New York, on December 29, 2025. His cause of death was not “immediately available,” the outlet reported. Friends say the loss was completely unexpected.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Mulrooney came up through the gritty, competitive comedy scene of the early 1980s, cutting his teeth at legendary clubs like Dangerfield’s and Sheepshead Bay before making his mark in Hollywood at The Improv and The Laugh Factory. By the late ’80s, he had become a familiar face on television — most notably in 1987, when he briefly replaced Joan Rivers as host of The Late Show.
His career spanned nearly every corner of entertainment. Mulrooney appeared on shows including Comic Strip Live, Comedy Tonight, Great Balls of Fire!, An Evening at the Improv, and Andrew Dice Clay and His Gang Live! The Valentine’s Day Massacre. He competed on Star Search and The New Hollywood Squares, guest-starred on Ellen and The Good Life, and even hosted Fox’s King of the Mountain and The Pat Sajak Show. He also created and starred in the short-lived Comedy Central sitcom Midtown North.
After returning to New York, Mulrooney reinvented himself once again — this time as a radio powerhouse, hosting The John and Abbey Show on 105.1 “The Buzz,” then co-hosting the hugely popular Wolf and Mulrooney in the Morning alongside Bob “The Wolf” Wohlfeld on WPYX. Later stops included WPDH and iHeartRadio, where his unmistakable voice remained a staple of East Coast airwaves.
Adam Sandler’s emotional tribute
Even late into his career, Mulrooney never stopped performing. Just months ago, in May 2025, he shared the stage with Colin Quinn and Aidan O’Kelley at the Craic Comedy Fest in Astoria.
Tributes quickly poured in from friends, fans, and fellow comedians. In a 2024 episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast, Adam Sandler reflected on their early days in comedy, calling Mulrooney a force of nature.
“I remember Mulrooney would just destroy a room,” Sandler said. “He was so loose and would dominate the room, and then they’d bring you up, and you’re like, ‘Oh, goodness gracious.’”
Outside of entertainment, Mulrooney lived a life of service. He spent 14 years as a police officer, from 2010 to 2024, while continuing to perform comedy — often for first responder communities across the country. He was also a longtime radio host and a recreational pilot, according to his obituary.
That obituary described him as a “beloved stand-up comedian, dedicated public servant, and proud patriot whose life was defined by service, laughter and an unwavering devotion to the people he loved.”
Steven Van Zandt told the Times Union that the news hadn’t fully sunk in.
Mulrooney and Van Zandt first crossed paths years ago, when both men were launching their own morning radio shows and quickly built a lasting friendship.
“To talk to somebody less than two weeks ago, and he had mentioned what he was doing for Christmas, and he was looking forward to 2026 because he had a pretty full calendar,” Van Zandt said. “It’s all so unexpected. It’s still sinking in.”
The obituary added:
“John Mulrooney will be remembered as much for being a loyal friend to countless people as for the laughter he brought to a multitude of strangers. His voice, his stories and his spirit will continue to echo in the lives of those he touched.”
”He became a sought-after performer for police and fire department fundraisers across the country, using comedy to support first responders and the communities they protect”.
John Mulrooney is survived by the legacy of laughter he left behind — and by countless people who say comedy, radio, and even their own lives were better because he was part of them.
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