Joe Rogan pays tribute as beloved comedian Michael Lehrer dies aged 44
Comedian Michael Lehrer has died at the age of 44.
The stand-up star’s death on Tuesday was due to complications with ALS, which Lehrer was diagnosed with in 2017.
The illness didn’t stop Lehrer performing though, and after learning of the comic’s death Joe Rogan commended his resilience in a heartfelt tribute, saying he’ll ‘miss Lehrer very much’.
Perhaps his most famous credit, Lehreh was part of improvisational comedy troupe The Second City and in 2014 was selected as one of Just for Laughs Festival’s New Faces of Comedy.
He would often perform at comedy clubs in his wheelchair and spoke candidly about his ALS battle.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impacts nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain.
It’s the most common form of motor neurone disease, which the NHS describesas ‘a condition that affects the brain and nerves [and] causes weakness that gets worse over time’.
Lehreh is survived by his son Colin and girlfriend Colette, who revealed her late partner chose to end his life with the aid of a doctor.
Speaking to the Chicago Sun-Times, Colette shared: ‘Michael died with dignity on his own terms.
‘He was not suicidal at all. Medical aid in dying was the hardest decision he ever made.’
Sharing the news of Lehrer’s passing on HetFlix on Wednesday, Rogan wrote: ‘The courage this man had to do stand up while battling a debilitating disease was insanely impressive, and though he struggled to get words out the man would KILL onstage.
‘He was a real legend, and I’m going to miss him very much. Repost: @killtonyshow We knew it was coming yet there are still no words for it. What a human. He truly lived to make you all laugh. Rest easy our dear @michael_lehrer_als.’
A GoFundMe page has now been set up for Lehrer’s son.
It reads in part: ‘Michael Lehrer passed away on January 17, 2023 after a 7-year battle with ALS.
‘He wanted his son, Colin to be ok financially when he left this world. Please help honour Michael and show him how much we loved him by making sure his son can be secure for a while.
‘[Michael] made us laugh like we never knew we could, at things we never knew we could laugh at.’
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