Friends and fans described John Mulrooney as an exceptional radio voice, a fearless stand-up comic, and someone who lit up any room. That voice fell silent this week. Mulrooney died suddenly at 67 at his home in Coxsackie, New York, on December 29, 2025. No cause of death was released, and those close to him said the loss was completely unexpected.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mulrooney rose during New York’s 1980s comedy boom, performing at clubs like Dangerfield’s before becoming a regular at The Improv and The Laugh Factory. His loose, confident style brought him to television throughout the late 1980s, including a brief but notable turn hosting The Late Show in 1987 after Joan Rivers’ departure.

His career spanned stand-up, television, and radio. He appeared on Comic Strip Live, An Evening at the Improv, and Star Search, hosted shows like The Pat Sajak Show, and created the Comedy Central sitcom Midtown North. Returning east, he became a radio staple, most famously on Wolf and Mulrooney in the Morning, reaching listeners across the East Coast for years.

Mulrooney never left the stage. In May 2025, he was still performing at the Craic Comedy Fest. Adam Sandler once said, “I remember Mulrooney would just destroy a room… ‘Oh, goodness gracious.’” From 2010 to 2024, he also served as a police officer, blending comedy with public service.

His obituary called him a “beloved stand-up comedian, dedicated public servant, and proud patriot.” Steven Van Zandt said, “It’s all so unexpected. It’s still sinking in.” Above all, friends remember his loyalty and generosity. “John Mulrooney will be remembered as much for being a loyal friend… as for the laughter he brought.”