What happened to Reggie McFadden? Comedian Art Garfield details the last text and more about the ‘In Living Color’ comedian’s death

Actor-comedian Reggie McFadden, best known for appearing in the 90s Fox sketch show In Living Color, died in Tanzania, where he had been living for the past 18 years. He was 57.

His sister and author Bernice McFadden told The Hollywood Reporter that the United States State Department notified their family that Reggie died in the African nation. However, the date and cause of death were not disclosed to the family.

Writer, producer, comedian, and radio host Art Garfield reacted to the news and wrote on Facebook:

“I keep hearing about our comedian Reggie McFadden passing, but who reported this and what happened? Reg went MIA years ago to a gold mine and hardly communicated… I got an inbox from him 3 years ago, but that was it…”

Garfield shared an image of Reggie and a screenshot of his text exchange from December 2023. In it, McFadden shared his contact details, including a phone number and email ID and confirmed he was living in Tanzania.

“Garfield, I hope all is well with you and yours… Please send me your contact info. I am in need of a favor. I am trying to find witnesses who watched me perform the jokes I did on Def Comedy Jam before I taped them… I am currently collecting funds that are owed to…” Reggie McFadden wrote in his message at the time.

Now, Art Garfield added in his Facebook post:

“Just got confirmation from @Kringle that spoke to his brother Kris that he caught pneumonia in Africa and refused treatment… sad… such a genuinely good dude who happened to be very funny… knew him from the beginning… bout 1990…R.I.P.”

Comedian Tony Luewellyn paid tribute via Facebook.

“Rest in peace, fellow comedian, Reggie McFadden. Another fallen veteran comedy brother!” the post read.

Reggie McFadden: Life and career

According to his bio on The Comedy Store website, Reggie McFadden was born in November 1968 and raised in the “harsh neighborhoods” of Brooklyn, New York. He attended the Rice High School in Manhattan and the New York Institute of Technology.

“He decided to pursue comedy after realizing early on that if he didn't work hard, he'd end up in the projects across the street. Reggie quickly rose to prominence in New York after paying his dues,” the bio adds.

In the early 1990s, Reggie made his breakthrough with HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and later on Fox Network’s sitcom Martin. Around 1993-1994, he joined the cast of In Living Color, followed by another Fox Network show, Getting Personal.

After landing in Los Angeles, he also made guest appearances on TV shows such as Moesha, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, and Coach.

His later projects include HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm as Officer Burt, Larry David’s neighbor, and Adam Sandler’s movie Little Nicky. Reggie also hosted an eponymous show on Comedy Central and appeared in the films Jacob’s Ladder and Minor Adjustments.

McFadden also regularly performed at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

After moving to Tanzania, he became the Chief Executive Officer at Bonanza Gold Mining Company Limited and the owner of the entertainment company Olduvai Records, according to his Facebook bio.

Reggie McFadden released a studio album titled ENJOY Vol. 1 in May 2025. His company is signed with Sony Music’s New York-based global distribution and audiovisual production branch, The Orchard.

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In his final social media post in January, Reggie McFadden identified as a “gold billionaire.”

He is survived by his sisters Bernice and Misty, his mother Vivian, his brother Kris, and his sons Jaron and Myles.

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