{"id":1903,"date":"2026-01-08T19:47:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/?p=1903"},"modified":"2026-01-08T19:47:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:47:58","slug":"john-mulrooney-known-for-his-time-on-the-late-show-passes-away-at-67","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/?p=1903","title":{"rendered":"John Mulrooney, known for his time on the Late Show, passes away at 67"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover aligncenter is-light mycontentblock has-medium-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;min-height:124px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"186\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-198 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1024x186.png\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1024x186.png 1024w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-300x54.png 300w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-768x139.png 768w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1536x279.png 1536w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-2048x372.png 2048w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-04-at-2.47.25-PM-1-1320x239.png 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-4d396166 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center my-cover-title has-ast-global-color-8-color has-ast-global-color-5-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-860c7c597c65535f614f8baf78762312\"><strong>John Mulrooney, known for his time on the Late Show, passes away at 67<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b4392461c3179c9085794c1886b75287\">John Mulrooney, a beloved stand-up comedian, radio personality, and late-night television veteran, died suddenly on December 29, 2025, at the age of 67. According to Albany\u2019s <em>Times Union<\/em>, he passed away at his home in Coxsackie, New York. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    atOptions = {\n        'key' : '9e49f4ce267f7bab92bbdb38b733742b',\n        'format' : 'iframe',\n        'height' : 90,\n        'width' : 728,\n        'params' : {}\n    };\n<\/script>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/brillianceremisswhistled.com\/9e49f4ce267f7bab92bbdb38b733742b\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-da94c81764756e85d0f5b6da82daf3b4\">The cause of death has not been disclosed, and friends and colleagues described the loss as completely unexpected, leaving the comedy and entertainment world in shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-aab9d89043f986d5dedd3e425f0ff77d\">Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mulrooney came up through New York\u2019s fiercely competitive comedy scene in the early 1980s, performing at iconic clubs like Dangerfield\u2019s and Sheepshead Bay. His sharp wit, commanding stage presence, and natural timing quickly set him apart. By the late 1980s, he had become a national presence, performing at The Improv and The Laugh Factory and appearing on shows such as <em>Comic Strip Live<\/em>, <em>An Evening at the Improv<\/em>, and <em>Comedy Tonight<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-41.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1904\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7758261124981642;width:428px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-41.png 998w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-41-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-41-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-de8a6c5931c5196b7e28e52e2b2c4660\">Mulrooney\u2019s versatility extended to television hosting, including a brief but notable stint replacing Joan Rivers on <em>The Late Show<\/em> in 1987. He also appeared on <em>Star Search<\/em>, <em>The New Hollywood Squares<\/em>, and hosted programs like <em>The Pat Sajak Show<\/em> and Fox\u2019s <em>King of the Mountain<\/em>. Later, he transitioned seamlessly into radio, becoming a familiar and trusted voice on shows like <em>The John and Abbey Show<\/em> and <em>Wolf and Mulrooney in the Morning<\/em>, where his humor and relatability resonated with listeners for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-42-1024x577.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1905\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.77473140374567;width:514px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-42-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-42-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-42-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-42.png 1296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e6800644d751de51ecabfe6682c25a1e\">Beyond entertainment, Mulrooney dedicated much of his life to public service. From 2010 to 2024, he worked as a police officer while continuing to perform comedy, often entertaining at fundraisers for police and fire departments nationwide. His rare ability to balance law enforcement with a demanding performance career earned him deep respect, particularly among first responders, whom he supported with humor, empathy, and firsthand understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-43-1024x722.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1906\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4175381008206331;width:474px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-43-1024x722.png 1024w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-43-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-43-768x542.png 768w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-43-1320x931.png 1320w, https:\/\/vibepress.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-43.png 1358w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-8-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-093c1be4a4d35dc2af2c13407313b86b\">Tributes poured in following his death, with fellow comedians and friends remembering both his talent and generosity. Adam Sandler recalled how Mulrooney could \u201cdestroy a room,\u201d while Steven Van Zandt reflected on how sudden the loss felt. Mulrooney is remembered not only for his laughter, but for his warmth, loyalty, and service. His voice, stories, and spirit endure through the countless lives he touched, leaving behind a legacy defined by humor, humanity, and heart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>John Mulrooney, a beloved stand-up comedian, radio personality, and late-night television veteran, died suddenly on December 29, 2025, at the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1907,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1903"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1908,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1903\/revisions\/1908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibepress.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}