Comedian and actor Reggie McFadden, of 'In Living Color', dies in Tanzania aged 57
Reggie McFadden, a stand-up comic and actor known for Def Comedy Jam and In Living Color, has died aged 57 in Tanzania. His family says the date and cause of death are not yet known.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Reggie McFadden, an actor and stand-up comedian best known for his run on the Fox sketch series In Living Color, has died at the age of 57. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Reggie McFadden, the actor and stand-up comic who got his big break on Def Comedy Jam and worked for a season on the 1990s Fox sketch series In Living Color, has died. He was 57.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “Reggie McFadden, best known for his run on In Living Color, has died. He was 57.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2His sister, Bernice McFadden, told The Hollywood Reporter that the U.S. State Department notified the family that he died in Tanzania, where he had been living for several years (The Hollywood Reporter says about 18). The Hollywood ReporterLC “the U.S. State Department notified the family that he died in Tanzania, where he had been living for the past 18 years or so” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “She said the U.S. State Department notified the family that he died in Tanzania, where he had been living for several years.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2The family does not yet know when he died or the cause of death. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The family does not yet know when he died or what was the cause of death, she added.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “A cause of death is not known.” Read at Deadline ↗
Left · 1Born in Brooklyn on Nov. 30, 1968, McFadden pursued comedy as a way to escape living in the projects, according to a bio posted online; he appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam in 1991 and later moved to Los Angeles. The Hollywood ReporterLC “McFadden grew up in Brooklyn and decided to pursue comedy as a way to escape living in the projects, according to a bio posted online.”“In 1991, he made it on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and after moving to Los Angeles, he landed small roles” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2He was on In Living Color in 1993-94, appearing in 23 episodes of its fifth and final season, in sketches including "Wheel of Dozens" and "All Up in the Family". The Hollywood ReporterLC “He was on the late-night show in 1993-94, appearing on 23 episodes of the fifth and final season” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “The Brooklyn-born McFadden played various characters on In Living Color from 1993-1994.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2His other TV credits included Martin, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Moesha, Coach, Getting Personal (a short-lived 1998 Fox comedy in which he starred) and a 2001 Curb Your Enthusiasm episode as Officer Burt; his films included Jacob's Ladder and Little Nicky. The Hollywood ReporterLC “He went on to star on Fox’s short-lived 1998 comedy Getting Personal and appear in films including Jacob’s Ladder (1990), Minor Adjustments (1995) and Little Nicky (2000).” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “His other TV appearances included roles on Martin, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, Coach, Moesha, Getting Personal and Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Read at Deadline ↗
Mixed · 2He had a Comedy Central special and performed regularly in Las Vegas, including at Caesars Palace according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood ReporterLC “McFadden had his own comedy special on Comedy Central and performed regularly at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “McFadden had a comedy special on Comedy Central and was a regular performer in Las Vegas.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2According to his Facebook page, he owned Olduvai Records, a gold-mining and entertainment production company in Tanzania, which released his album ENJOY, Vol. 1 in May 2025. The Hollywood ReporterLC “According to his Facebook page, he was the owner of Olduvai Records, a gold-mining and entertainment production company in Tanzania.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “His Facebook page states he was the owner of a gold mining company and entertainment production company in Tanzania.” Read at Deadline ↗ Mixed · 2Tributes include one from comic Tony Luewellyn on Facebook, who called him "another fallen veteran comedy brother", and a statement from Prof. Rel Dowdell of Hampton University calling him "a very talented, veteran comedian and actor". DeadlineN ““Another fallen veteran comedy brother!”” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC ““Reggie McFadden was a very talented, veteran comedian and actor whose diverse choices and dedication to his profession were highly evident,”” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Left · 1He is survived by sisters Bernice and Misty, sons Jaron and Myles, his mother Vivian and his brother Kris. The Hollywood ReporterLC “survivors include another sister, Misty; his sons, Jaron and Myles; his mother, Vivian; and his brother, Kris.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- A detailed obituary leading with Def Comedy Jam and In Living Color, covering his career, business ventures and family.
- Emphasis
- Career milestones, episode count, his Tanzania business and album, and survivors.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Nothing significant beyond what Deadline's shorter piece also leaves out.
- For example
-
“He was on the late-night show in 1993-94, appearing on 23 episodes of the fifth and final season” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A brief news obituary leading with In Living Color and his sister's confirmation.
- Emphasis
- Death confirmation, a peer's Facebook tribute and key credits.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits his birth date, Def Comedy Jam, the Olduvai Records label, the album and his survivors.
- For example
-
““Rest in peace, fellow comedian, Reggie Mcfadden,” comic Tony Luewellyn wrote on Facebook.” — Deadline
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- McFadden died aged 57.
- His sister Bernice McFadden confirmed the death to The Hollywood Reporter.
- The U.S. State Department told the family he died in Tanzania.
- The cause of death is not known.
- He was on In Living Color in 1993-94.
Where accounts differ
-
How long McFadden lived in Tanzania
- Left
- The Hollywood Reporter says about 18 years.
- Centre
- Deadline says several years.
Reggie McFadden person
Presented as a veteran comedian and actor who built a second career in Tanzania; the family says it does not know when or how he died.
“The family does not yet know when he died or what was the cause of death, she added.” — The Hollywood Reporter
“His Facebook page states he was the owner of a gold mining company and entertainment production company in Tanzania.” — Deadline
Left1 article
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Reggie McFadden, Actor-Comedian Known for ‘Def Comedy Jam’ and ‘In Living Color,’ Dies at 57
Sympathetic Full career retrospective obituary with academic tribute and family details.
Centre1 article
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Reggie McFadden Dies; ‘In Living Color’ Comedian Was 57
Neutral Short news obituary relying on The Hollywood Reporter's family confirmation, with a fellow comedian's tribute.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 5 Oct 01:58 First The Hollywood ReporterLC Reggie McFadden, Actor-Comedian Known for ‘Def Comedy Jam’ and ‘In Living Color,’ Dies at 57
- 5 Oct 02:55 +57m DeadlineN Reggie McFadden Dies; ‘In Living Color’ Comedian Was 57
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.