LOS ANGELES (KRON) — Acclaimed entertainer Garry Shandling, best known 80’s television show “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” has died after a “medical emergency” at his West Los Angeles home, police announced Thursday.
He was 66.
TMZ first reported that Shandling died of a massive heart attack at an L.A. hospital Thursday morning.
Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Tony Im, who confirmed Shandling’s death shortly before 2 p.m., said Shandling was taken to a local hospital where he died.
On March 20, Shandling retweeted a photo posted on Kathy Griffin’s Twitter account of himself, her and Bob Odenkirk.
Shandling was born in Chicago in 1949 and raised in Tuscon, Arizona where he attended the University of Arizona. The critically-acclaimed comic, writer, actor kicked off his career in the ’70s writing for sitcoms “Sanford and Son” and “Welcome Back Kotter.”
Late night television show hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers took to social media to remember Shandling.
“Garry Shandling was as kind and generous as he was funny and that is saying a lot,” Kimmel wrote.
Meyers wrote, “Heartbreaking news about Garry Shandling. Just heartbreaking.”
“RIP Garry Shandling. #Irreplaceable,” wrote ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ star Michael McKean.
Garry Shandling was as kind and generous as he was funny and that is saying a lot.
– Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) March 24, 2016
RIP the great Garry Shandling. Surely, one of the most influential comedians of a generation.
– Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) March 24, 2016
Saddened over Garry Shandling. He was a comedy idol of mine. He leaves behind the greatest single-camera comedy of all time. #LarrySanders
– Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) March 24, 2016
R.I.P. Garry Shandling. I am so saddened to hear this. Brilliantly funny and such a great guy. He will be so missed.
– Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) March 24, 2016