And now we see yet another great comedy talent die young. John Pinette, perhaps best known as the guy who got mugged in the final Seinfeld episode, but known to stand up comedy fans as the overweight comic who did truly classic routines about going to buffets and to a water park, is dead at 50. There’s no official cause of death but it’s believed heart and liver problems played a role. Variety:

John Pinette, a comedian known for his stand-up career and an appearance in the “Seinfeld” series finale, was found dead in a Pittsburgh hotel room on Saturday, according to reports. He was 50.

No cause of death has been released yet, though he was suffering from liver and heart disease, according to several outlets. Authorities have no suspicion of foul play at this time.

Along with his appearance as a carjacking victim in “Seinfeld,” his other credits include “Junior” (1994), “The Punisher” (2004) and “The Last Godfather.” (2010) His last hourlong stand-up special was 2011?s “Still Hungry.” The comedian was known for often poking fun at himself, and he was noted in the comedy world for his self-deprecating style.

But it was MORE than that (see my repost below). MORE from Variety:

His television credits include “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose” and “Vinnie & Bobby.” He was also noted for his impressions, including those of The Chipmunks and Elvis Presley.

He was in the middle of a live comedy tour at the time of his death, with his next performance to take place at a California comedy club called Ontario Improv, according to his Facebook page. The tour had dates from April-June in the U.S. and Canada.

I do a form of comedy myself but I’ve long contended Pinette was an utter genius: a comedian who in another time when there wasn’t “narrowcasting,” and when show biz wasn’t segmented into niches, would have been considered at the very top of show biz. He was that good.

Here’s what I wrote in July 2011:

As someone who dabbles in show biz at an admittedly different level, I have had a lifelong passion for comedy. And I mean comedy dating back to the silents, to the great comedy teams, vaudeville comedy, burlesque, early TV comedy and stand up. But there is one comedian today who I increasingly feel is not fully appreciated for the genius he is and his ability to keep getting laughs the old fashioned way (by not going X): John Pinette. His comedy appeals to all ages and his timing is about as good as anyone’s since timing-master Jack Benny.

He has an upcoming comedy special on Comedy Central.

Although our political class is providing us with a lot of comedy — and tragedy — these days. Take a few minutes to watch a genuis at work.
The hefty Pinnette’s most famous bit is about a Chinese buffet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdwuiyO7hOU

Here’s another bit done some years earlier when he was a bit heavier:

Another famous bit: the water park.

And the first part of a performance that is in 6 parts on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Daj_mijJMCI&feature=related

ON THE DAY OF HIS DEATH THIS MUST BE SAID: He was a tremendous talent and as appreciated as he may have been, he was not appreciated enough.

He was that good.

He easily met the past bar set by comedy greats — and set the bar higher.

UPDATES: Tweets are pouring in about his death:

JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief

Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.

themoderatevoice.com/