Howard Stern stand-up was 60

American comedian Robert Schimmel has died following a car crash in Arizona.

The Howard Stern Show regular has been in a serious condition since August 26, when the car his 19-year-old daughter was driving swerved to avoid an accident, and rolled off the road.

The 60-year-old was known for his dark, personal stand-up material – and mined his cancer and the death of his son for his act.

He got his break on Rodney Dangerfield's young comedians special for HBO in 1988, a programme which also starred Bill Hicks, Andrew Dice Clay, and Dom Irrea. He also wrote material for the TV sketch show In Living Color.

Comedian Penn Jillette – half of the Penn and Teller magic act – Tweeted: 'I'm so sad about Robert Schimmel dying. I've been checking the news for three hours hoping it wasn't true. He was very funny and wonderful.'

He divorced his second wife Melissa last year, and leaves six children.

Here he is talking about his first sexual encounter:

Published: 4 Sep 2010