The legendary comedian Dick Capri died in his sleep on Thursday morning. He was 93 years-old.
Capri was best known for his stand-up comedy and his performances on Broadway.
Capri Passes Away
Capri’s son Jeff confirmed his death to TMZ, saying that his father had been diagnosed with a bleeding enlarged aorta that was rendered inoperable because of his age. Capri then simply kept living his life, knowing that it was nearing its end.
Jeff went on to say that Capri was able to celebrate Christmas with his family in Florida on Wednesday. They celebrated by getting food from Capri’s favorite restaurant for dinner. The comedian then went to sleep that night, and never woke up again.
“The world is not as funny today as it was yesterday,” Jeff said. He added that his father did it all, and was both one of the funniest and kindest people in show business.
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Capri’s Life
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania in 1931, Capri got his start working at his father’s grocery store. There, he would perform comedy bits for customers.
Capri eventually quit his job at the grocery store so that he could focus on comedy full-time. He finally rose to fame in 1973, when he began touring with singer Engelbert Humperdinck as the comedic attraction. Capri would later work alongside celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Liza Minnelli. He also performed for the U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford and George Bush.
Capri made his Broadway debut in 1991 in the show Catskills On Broadway, which ran for fourteen months before touring the U.S. On top of all that, Capri performed on The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show and Toast Of The Town.
Capri’s official website described him as having a comedic “style firmly based in the Borsht Belt.” The comedian also “used his Italian heritage and his unique delivery to mix comedy and mime – setting him distinctly apart from the traditional stand-up comic.”
“His unique style features a measured and deliberate delivery and his material is crisp and topical,” the website continued. “This mix of comedy sets him distinctly apart from traditional stand-up comedians.”
Check out one of Capri’s comedy routines from 1993 in the video below.
Capri additionally starred in the movies They Still Call Me Bruce (1987), Bittersweet Place (2005) and One Angry Man (2010). In 2003, Capri travelled to Iraq to perform for U.S. troops.
Capri’s son Jeff has followed in his father’s footsteps and become a comedian himself. Indeed, he performs at comedy clubs all over the country.
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Tributes For Capri
Tributes have been pouring in for Capri in the wake of his passing.
“May heaven be a funny place, rest in peace Dick Capri!” one fan wrote. Another added, “Why it seems like comedians be living forever. 93 is a blessing. Imma start telling jokes. #RIP.”
“He was the best,” a third fan commented. A fourth person wrote, “Dick Capri passed away this morning, a beloved staple of the #borschtbelt comedy scene (alongside Mal Z and Freddie Roman) and member of the @friarsclub – Please @nytimesarts – consider giving this legend a final tribute. #comedy #dickcapri.”
Capri was a true legend, and there will never be another like him. Rest in peace, Dick Capri.
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