Comedian, MTV Game Show Host Ken Ober Dead At 52
Wow, the Generation-X crew is feeling the pain as we lose another figure from our misspent youth. For those who grew up watching MTV (raises hand) the name Ken Ober should ring a bell. The actor/comedian was the star of the MTV game show, Remote Control, which marked the beginning of the channel's experimentation with running series shows on the otherwise music-dominated channel.
Ober, who got his start like so many stars on the talent show, Star Search, began hosting the game show in 1987. Ober moved on from MTV's quirky comedy sketch/game show after five seasons and later picked up work on sitcoms Mind of Mencia and The New Adventures of Old Christine.
According to MTV, Ober's body was discovered in his home on Sunday and there has been no cause of death listed at this time. Ober had been complaining about flu-like symptoms and according to his talent agent Mark Measures, it is believe he died of natural causes,
Two stars who got their start on Ober's show, actors/comedians Adam Sandler and Denis Leary had this to say about working with Ken:
Adam Sandler: "Ken Ober was one of the sharpest, quickest, sweetest guys I ever met, He was always a great friend and I will miss him very much."
Denis Leary: "Kenny Ober was and always will be the quickest wit in the room. He was fall-down funny from the moment he was born — a smart, fast and hilarious human being who made many of us, including myself, laugh until we cried. As the star and host of 'Remote Control,' he was a welcoming ringmaster who helped to kickstart the careers of numerous talents, including Adam Sandler, Colin Quinn and myself. He will be remembered always by each of his friends not only for his massive talent but for his true, deep and enduring friendship."
While very little about the cause of Ken's death is known, 52 seems far too young to die. This has been a tough year in the celebrity world, far too many unexpected deaths. RIP Ken.
Follow Technorati