Mike DeStefano: 1967-2011

By Ann Clarke

I absolutely did NOT want to have to write another article involving the passing of anyone, but unfortunately . . . I am finding myself doing this once again.

Mike DeStefano, a truly gifted comic, has died. He passed away on March 6, 2011 from an apparent heart attack. He was only 44 years old.

This sucks.

I mentioned Mike in my Best Of 2010 article—and I meant every word I said. Not that I expounded in depth, but it is indeed true: I listened to his comedy album Ok Karma, probably more than any other album that came out last year (that includes music, too!) It was just THAT GOOD!

I stumbled upon Mike sometime last year by accident. I was watching Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Spotlight, and I was tired and about to go to bed. I really didn’t feel like watching it, but I left it on anyway. It didn’t take long . . . Mike woke me “the fuck” up! I laughed so hard I had those pains in my ribs that you either get from laughing or running (and both occur when your body can’t handle what it’s enduring!) I like stand-up comedy, but sometimes I can’t remember the names of the comedians unless they are exceptional. Mike was indeed, exceptional.

Why was his comedy so good? Because it was honest. Very brutal & unflinching, but genuinely honest! I can’t stand bullshitters, and this guy was clearly the furthest thing from that. His routine involved a majority of how fucked up his life was, but never in a “oh woe is me” kind of way. He grew up in the Bronx in a dangerous landscape. He also battled heroin addiction for a majority of his life, but he kicked its ass and got clean! Unfortunately, heroin use can lead to using dirty needles, and in his case . . . he ended up with HIV. However, he never had full blown AIDS. He didn’t die from it! Sadly, his wife did. He dealt with her loss, as well as the death of his father within a short period of time, which was clearly, an awful ordeal known as “life.”

His harrowing life experiences clearly shaped his no-bullshit take on comedy. He had a very brusque demeanor, and his delivery was always concise. The man came across as intimidating, but. . . at the same time, he was an ethical and generous person! Before comedy, he devoted his time to drug counseling and HIV awareness, and still worked within that realm simultaneous to his performances. Also, a majority of his stand-up shows were for charitable offerings. Aside from the HIV & drug charities, he also did shows that raised money for animal foundations like Funny for Fido.

He was also a Top 5 contestant on last season’s Last Comic Standing. He didn’t win (because no one good ever wins that shit), and he expounds with some more of his unyielding honesty in regards to that in a recent podcast with fellow comic, Marc Maron.

Mike recently completed a successful run of sold-out shows in NYC entitled Drugs, Disease and Death: A Comedy by Mike DeStefano. I’ve been following his Facebook page regularly since I discovered him, and in a macabre coincidence, he was making an announcement for these shows a few weeks ago stating, “I might die tomorrow and you won’t get a chance to see my show Drugs, Disease and Death: A Comedy by Mike DeStefano then you’ll feel bad. Let’s avoid all that and buy tickets. Hopefully I’ll be there and we’ll have a good time.”

As funny as that was when I read it in a Facebook feed a few weeks back . . . it doesn’t induce laughter now, it induces sorrow. Mike was really starting to gain some momentum in his career. Life was actually looking up for him. It’s truly a shame when an underdog finally gets a taste of success, and doesn’t survive to reap the rewards of it. This is definitely one of those cases.

Mike was cued up to do his second block of one man shows entitled A Cherry Tree in the Bronx that were slated to begin this week. He was working up until his death. At least he didn’t suffer needlessly with a prolonged & painful death. I guess that’s the only positive that can come of this: he didn’t suffer the way the people he loved in his life did.

It’s been reported that he ended his last show with this very fitting quote: “I’ve said everything I’ve ever wanted to say.” Mike DeStefano: Another macabre coincidence.

RIP Mike.

Visitation Hours:
Wednesday March 9 – 10, 2011
2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Schuyler Hill Funeral Home
3535 E. Tremont Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465

Funeral:
Friday March 11, 2011
10:30 a.m.
St. Benedict’s Church
2969 Otis Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465