Hollywood Insiders Lament the Death of Jak Knight at the Age of 28!
The multitalented individual has written for popular television comedies such as “Black-ish” and “Big Mouth,” and more recently, she has co-created and performed in Peacock’s “Bust Down,” opposite Chris Redd, Sam Jay, and Langston Kerman.
Hollywood Insiders Lament the Death of Jak Knight at the age of 28!
Sadly, stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Jak Knight, who most recently collaborated on the production of the Peacock series Bust Down, has passed away. He was 28.
Knight passed away late on Thursday night in Los Angeles, his family revealed through a representative from his agency. At this time, more information, including the cause of death, is being withheld from public release.
According to the statement made by the representative, “Knight’s loved ones ask that their privacy be respected during this terribly difficult time.”
Knight’s professional life was not only going well, but it was also heading in the right direction.
After writing for a string of successful television shows, such as Netflix’s critically acclaimed raunchy comedy Big Mouth and ABC’s beloved Black-ish, Knight transitioned to co-creating, executive producing, and starring in the new Peacock series Bust Down.
Bust Down is produced by Peacock Productions and airs on Peacock. The show portrays a group of friends as they struggle to make ends meet while working at a casino in Gary, Indiana.
Chris Redd, Sam Jay, and Langston Kerman are among the show’s co-creators and also stars in the show. The first episode of Bust Down aired in March.
Additionally, Knight collaborated with Jay on the production of the HBO series Pause. Features Sam Jay in multiple roles, including that of actor, co-executive producer, and writer.
The Los Angeles-based Knight, who was born in the Pacific Northwest city of Seattle, just finished off filming Chelsea Peretti’s first feature-length directorial effort, titled First Time Female Director.
His stand-up comedy routine took him all over the world on numerous occasions, and he was included in a Netflix special of half an hour’s length that was broadcast in 2018 as a part of the series The Comedy Lineup.
Knight stated that he obtained his first work in the industry as a writer on the cartoon Lucas Bros. Moving Co. when he was close to 20 years old. This information was provided by Knight in an interview that took place in 2018.
Keith and Kenneth Lucas, who are co-creators and identical twin brothers, “heard about me from somebody, I don’t know who, and they were like, ‘Aye, come hang out with us, come smoke’,” remembered Knight.
A parody of the television show Sister, Sister, Knight posited the existence of a third sister who, after being excluded from the show, became evil.
The Lucas brothers were so taken aback by his abilities that they invited him to become a part of their act. “I was just like, yeah, and I guess that’s that,” she said.
Knight cited the legendary stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle and the cartoon series The Boondocks as the sources of his motivation to pursue a career in comedy. He explained it by saying, “One hundred percent the reasons why I do what I do.”
It was one of the numerous stand-up acts that he joined on various stages, including Joel McHale, Eric Andre, Moshe Kasher, and Aziz Ansari. Eventually, he would open for Chappelle on tour.
During the course of the same interview, he discussed the experience of not only writing for Big Mouth but also providing the voice for the character of DeVon.
“Being a writer is fantastic because you get to sit across the table from folks like Jordan Peele and Maya Rudolph,” he remarked. “Just being in the room with some of the most creative people alive is amazing.” It feels unreal, but we have to put in a lot of hard effort.
The comedy world was stunned to learn of his passing on Thursday, with several industry insiders expressing their sorrow and bewilderment on Friday.
In a joint statement, the Knight’s Bust Down family Peacock and Universal Television expressed their grief at the news of Jak Knight’s passing with the words “We are crushed by his passing.”
We were all so fortunate to have been able to witness the magnificence that he brought to the world as an artist, comedian, and visionary. During this most difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Jak’s family, friends, and the entire community.
Knight was recognized by Comedy Central as a comedic talent to watch, and the network paid tribute to him on its official Twitter account by describing him as “a hilarious and sincere comedian.”
We are going to miss him very, very much. Steven Ellison, a music producer, DJ, and rapper best known by his stage name Flying Lotus or FlyLo, referred to Knight as “unapologetically brazen and entertaining.” Knight was a guest on his show.
Eddie Della Siepe referred to it as “a phenomenon” in his piece. “A remarkable artist and, what’s more important, a wonderful human being.”