Hollywood has lost another star.
Ricky Harris, a comedian known for his racy routines and an actor known for appearing in surprisingly friendly family fare, was found dead this week.
He was 54 years old.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Harris’ manager confirmed the passing of this beloved stand-up, adding that he suffered a heart attack two years ago.
The cause of death, however, is not known at this time.
Well known and respected around the world of comedy, such heavyweights as Sinbad and Cedric the Entertainer took to social media on Monday night to express their shock and send their condolences.
“Devastated!!! #RIP to the One and Only #RickyHarris,” wrote Cedric online. “Always been a super solid dude.”
Harris rose to fame in the 1990s as a performer on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.” He often referenced pop culture touchstones, such as sound effects and movie sex, on stage.
A versatile talent, Harris made his acting debut in the 1993 drama Poetic Justice opposite Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur.
Two years later he appeared in Heat, a heist flick directed by Michael Mann that featured Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro.
On the small screen, Harris made appearances on such hits shows as Moesha and Everybody Hates Chrid, portraying the charming neighborhood pal Malvo on the latter.
Having grown up in Long Beach and actually sang in the choir with Snoop Dogg, Harris also made a name for himself by performing raunchy skits on his friend’s albums.
In response to Harris’ death, the rapper shared a brief, mournful video on Instagram that referred to Harris as “my big brother, my homeboy” and a “Long Beach original,” saying that he was “on his way to heaven now.”
The video simply features an emotional Snoop Dogg talking into the camera.
Snoop later added an Instagram photo of Harris and the message:
“C u when I get there like we used to do in church on the east side tell Nate to hold my note.”
Ice Cube also chimed in on the sad news via the following Instagram posting:
Wrote Chuck D:
“RickyHARRIS got 1st light from @icecube @SIRJINX & US doin voices on AmerikkasMostWanted. We were all in resPEct to his ability. Tough year.”
While perhaps not on the same level of fame as the others we’re about to mention, Harris’ death adds to the long list of celebrities who left us in 2016.
They include Prince, David Bowie, Gene Wilder and, on Christmas morning, George Michael.
Harris is survived by his mother, his ex-wife and two daughters.
We send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the loved ones of everyone who lost his or her life this year.