Reggie McFadden, the stand-up comic who reached TV audiences on “In Living Color” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” has died at 57 in Tanzania, his family confirmed.
McFadden died in Tanzania, where he had lived for about 18 years, after the U.S. State Department notified his family of the death. His sister, author Bernice McFadden, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter, and USA TODAY reported the family’s account as of an Oct. 5, 2026 update.
The family did not yet know the date or cause of death. That gap left a familiar working comic’s final chapter unfinished for fans who knew him from 1990s sketch and sitcom stages.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, McFadden built his act in New York before moving to Los Angeles. Wider recognition came in 1991 through HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” a launch pad that put stand-ups in front of a national crowd.
He later landed on Fox’s “In Living Color,” appearing in 23 episodes during the show’s final season. Sketches tied to his run included “Wheel of Dozens” and “All Up in the Family.”
Guest and series work followed across the decade’s TV lineup. Credits included “Martin,” “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper,” “Moesha,” and “Coach,” plus Fox’s short-lived sitcom “Getting Personal.”
Film audiences saw him in the Adam Sandler comedy “Little Nicky.” On HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” he played Officer Burt, a neighbor to Larry David’s character, an easy-to-spot beat in a show built on awkward everyday friction.
Comedy Central also featured him in a “Comedy Central Presents” special. The path was classic club-to-camera grind: stage time, a breakout showcase, then steady TV work rather than a single overnight turn.
For roughly 18 years he made his life in Tanzania. He identified himself as owner of Olduvai Records, described as a gold-mining and entertainment production company based there.
In May 2025 he released the album “Enjoy, Vol. 1” through Olduvai Records, an unexpected late-career mark for a performer first known for stand-up and sketch comedy.
He is survived by sons Jaron and Myles; his mother, Vivian; sisters Bernice and Misty; and his brother, Kris. Bernice McFadden’s confirmation to The Hollywood Reporter, paired with the State Department notice, is what brought the death into public view while basic details remained unknown to the family.
Working comics who clock club sets, sketch jobs, and guest spots rarely get a neat headline. McFadden’s record shows a craft built the long way, Brooklyn roots, national stage breaks, and a second chapter overseas, without waiting for permission from the taste-makers.
