I feel like I’m rapidly approaching the age where I really shouldn’t read the news, as more and more of the entertainers I grew up with, my contemporaries, are getting sick and/or dying. And, since I also dab my tootsies in comedy, when a comedian makes headlines for a health-related malady, it makes me ponder my own mortality.
One of my college entertainment staples was MTV’s Remote Control. My favorite part of said show was host Ken Ober’s sidekick Colin Quinn. (As a morbid side note, Ken died back in 2009.) A frequent guest on the Opie and Anthony Show back when it was on XM satellite radio, Colin has been one of my favorite comics. He exuded New York attitude, he was Irish, and he drank and smoked a lot. My kinda guy. He was the anchor on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update for two years (’98-’00) and has made history funny, courtesy of his one man shows Long Story Short in 2010 and Unconstitutional in 2013. He was also great as Amy Schumer’s dad in Trainwreck.
Colin is only 58, too young to be knocking on heaven’s door (he abandoned the bottle years ago), but on Valentine’s Day, he suffered a heart attack. Fortunately, he was treated and released from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. After he was in the clear, he shared the news on social media, tweeting on Monday, “My heart broke on Valentines Day. Literally. I am currently doing well although if I dropped dead you would see a funeral like al Capone!” He added: “I guess this heart attack has really made me reflect. You know, we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, or u really think about it.”
My heart broke onValentines Day. Literally. I am currently doing well although if I dropped dead you would see a funeral like al Capone!
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) February 14, 2018
I guess this heart attack has really made me reflect. You know, we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, or u really think about it.
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) February 14, 2018
Many of Colin’s fellow comedians and former SNL cast members shared their well wishes on Twitter.
@iamcolinquinn Col I’m praying to Saint Padre Pio for your health and COMPLETE recovery. This world needs your heart💜
— Cheri Oteri (@cherioteri) February 20, 2018
I feel horrible. Just heard about the great @iamcolinquinn. I hope you are feeling better and congratulations on the new heart attack material.
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) February 20, 2018
Sending out love to my pal @iamcolinquinn. (Even though he has been known to make fun of my appearance, today I will be the bigger man). pic.twitter.com/bX7E9dLMFw
— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) February 14, 2018
The heart attack didn’t do any damage to Colin’s sense of humor. He later tweeted, “Thanks for all the kind words and support. Starting a list of those who didn’t ‘check in’ yet. Guarantee they’ll regret the day they didn’t wish me well on the road to recover [sic].” He also expressed his gratitude to the doctors and nurses at the hospital, saying they “realized they had a precious jewel of comedy in their hands.”
Thanks for all the kind words and support. Starting a list of those who didn't "check in" yet. Guarantee they'll regret the day they didn't wish me well on the road to recovery.
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) February 19, 2018
I'd like to thank the staff @mtsinainyc which I still call Beth Israel. They saved a great man's life. They realized they had a precious jewel of comedy in their hands and they responded like a 47th st Hasidic appraiser with a mamezitser.
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) February 19, 2018
Colin did also get a bit introspective.
A heart attack is a serious thing. When it happens to a celeb let's double the importance. I understand some people wish me dead, it's human. I feel that way about plenty of people myself. But there's ways of doing things. "Keep up appearances" as they say.
— Colin Quinn (@iamcolinquinn) February 19, 2018
Colin’s health has forced him to postpone a show he had scheduled for Saturday night in Clearwater, Florida, a stop on his One in Every Crowd tour. The Tampa Bay Times shared his statement which demonstrated his ability to laugh in the face of adversity.
My heart goes out to all the people who bought tickets to my show. Literally. My heart went out. I know you people are still mad that I postponed the show even though I had a heart attack. I felt the same way when I bought Lou Reed tickets last year. I will reschedule once you tell me which weekends are best for you.
I’m so glad Colin is okay. 58 is too damn young. I’m glad he can keep making us laugh.
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
Better to laugh in the face of serious illness than to feel like a victim who has lost control of life and destiny.
Sad. Special place in my 90s memories as a kid and bc he’s my aunt by marriages first cousin She sees him and tells us ab how funny he is and goes to his shows in NY. As you said very Irish family.
I always thought he was cute.
Long Story Short is one of my favorite comedy routines – I love history and they we he wrote and performed that show melding the historical events with cultural aspects of people was so awesome. still must watch the whole thing when I see it on.
He was the worst Weekend Update host SNL ever had, God bless him. <3 Glad he's on the road to recovery.
(Also, yeow! Lookin’ good! I’d forgotten he’d slimmed down!)
True. It was a pretty awkward season, though. He’s much more of a writer and stand up guy. It just wasn’t a good fit for this funny and talented guy.