Reggie McFadden, ‘Def Comedy Jam’ and ‘In Living Color’ actor-comedian, dies at 57

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Reggie McFadden, the Brooklyn-born comedian and actor best known for his memorable run on 'In Living Color', has died at the age of 57, with his sister Bernice McFadden confirming his death to The Hollywood Reporter after the US State Department notified the family.

While the circumstances surrounding McFadden's death remain unclear and the cause of death is not known, news of his passing marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career included television, film and comedy.

Reggie McFadden’s comedy and acting career spanned television and film

The Brooklyn-born comedian made his HBO debut on 'Def Comedy Jam' in 1991, before moving to Los Angeles and landing small roles on 'Martin,' 'Hangin’ With Mr Cooper,' 'Moesha' and 'Coach,' among other TV shows.

McFadden was perhaps best remembered for 'In Living Color,' where he appeared from 1993 to 1994, playing various characters across 23 episodes of the late-night show's fifth and final season, including sketches such as “Wheel of Dozens,” “All Up in the Family” and the “Dirty Dozens Tournament of Champions.” 

He later starred in Fox’s short-lived 1998 comedy 'Getting Personal' and appeared in films including 'Jacob’s Ladder' (1990), 'Minor Adjustments' (1995) and 'Little Nicky' (2000), while also playing Officer Burt, Larry David’s neighbor, in a 2001 episode of HBO’s 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.'

McFadden also had his own comedy special on Comedy Central and was a regular performer at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, while following news of his death, comic Tony Luewellyn paid tribute to him on Facebook, writing, “Rest in peace, fellow comedian, Reggie Mcfadden. Another fallen veteran comedy brother!”

Reggie McFadden lived in Tanzania and owned Olduvai Records

McFadden had been living in Tanzania for several years. His Facebook page states that he was the owner of Olduvai Records, a gold-mining and entertainment production company in Tanzania.

According to the company’s website, Olduvai is signed with Sony Music’s The Orchard in New York for the global distribution of its music and audiovisual productions. McFadden released an album, 'ENJOY,' Vol. 1, on the label in May 2025.

“Reggie McFadden was a very talented, veteran comedian and actor whose diverse choices and dedication to his profession were highly evident,” Prof. Rel Dowdell, director of film studies at Hampton University, said in a statement.

McFadden is survived by his sister Bernice, another sister, Misty; his sons, Jaron and Myles; his mother, Vivian; and his brother, Kris.