Tributes paid to US comic

American comic Mike DeStefano has died of a heart attack at the age of 44.

The comic, who made the final five in the last series of NBC reality show Last Comic Standing, was a former heroin addict who took to stand-up after working as a drugs counsellor.

De Stefano, who was also HIV positive, was about to embark on a one-man show in New York called A Cherry Tree in The Bronx, having recently completed a run called Drugs, Disease And Death: A Comedy.

His collegues have been quick to tweet their condolences after American comedy site Punchline reported that he died on Sunday night.

Eugene Mirman said: ‘Oh my god. The saddest news ever. RIP Mike DeStefano. A truly amazing comedian.’

Marc Maron said: ‘Oh, shit. I just heard. Mike DeStefano died. Wow. So sad. I'm glad we got to talk before it happened. I know he was in a good place. RIP.’

While the Broadway Comedy Club posted: ‘RIP to a club favorite and an amazing human being - Mike Destefano. Your presence in our club will never be forgotten.’

And Britain’s Jim Tavare said: ‘Mike DeStefano has just died. We both came fourth on Last Comic Standing in different seasons. It was great to meet you in Hermosa. RIP’

Here he is in action

Published: 7 Mar 2011