Wikipedia

Mitch Hedberg

Mitchell Lee Hedberg (February 24, 1968 – March 30, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian. He was known for his one-liner comedy, characterized by surreal humor and his distinctive deadpan delivery, as well as his unconventional stage presence.

Mitch Hedberg
Born
Mitchell Lee Hedberg

(1968-02-24)February 24, 1968
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedMarch 30, 2005(2005-03-30) (aged 37)
Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Notable workStrategic Grill Locations
Mitch All Together
Do You Believe in Gosh?
Spouse
Lynn Shawcroft
​
(m. 1999)​
Comedy career
Years active1989–2005
MediumStand-up
Genres
Subjects
Websitemitchhedberg.net

Hedberg rose to prominence through repeated appearances on Late Show with David Letterman, and was dubbed "the next Seinfeld" by Time.[2] Throughout his career, he recorded three stand-up comedy albums, Strategic Grill Locations (1999), Mitch All Together (2003), and the posthumous Do You Believe in Gosh? (2008). He also wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the independent film Los Enchiladas! (1999), making further cameo appearances in Almost Famous (2000) and Lords of Dogtown (2005).

Hedberg struggled with substance abuse throughout his adult life, and died of an accidental overdose on March 30, 2005, at the age of 37. Because news of his passing broke just before April Fools' Day, many initially believed reports of Hedberg's death were a hoax. In subsequent years, he has retained a cult following, with Rolling Stone ranking him No. 20 on its 2017 list of the "50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time".[3]

Early life

edit

Mitchell Lee Hedberg[4] was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on February 24, 1968,[5][6] to Mary (née Schimscha; 1943–2012) and Arnold (Arne) Hedberg.[4] He had two sisters, Wendy and Angie;[6] Angie was five years younger than him.[7] Hedberg was born with a congenital heart defect, and experienced chronic heart palpitations.[6][8] He attended Ames Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade, and met lifelong friend and collaborator Tim Schlecht on his first day there.[7] Both Schlecht and Hedberg's father, Arne, recalled that Hedberg was extremely shy during his childhood.[7][9]

When I was 18, I was kind of sick of living here, so my friend Tim [Schlecht] and I packed up his Volaré. We moved from Minnesota to Florida. We wanted to move to Texas, but the front-end alignment was bad.

— Mitch Hedberg, during a stand-up routine[7]

Hedberg attended Harding Senior High School in Saint Paul.[10] He later stated in an interview that he was a straight-A student until his interest in school dropped around tenth grade.[11] During his teenage years, Hedberg aspired to become a musician, and attempted to form a band with Schlecht, though this never materialized; he graduated from Harding in 1986.[7] After graduating, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and worked in restaurant kitchens, including Applebee's, having first worked at a Chi-Chi's during high school.[7][12]

Career

edit

Hedberg began his stand-up career in Florida, and after a period of honing his skills, he moved to Seattle and began to tour. He soon appeared on MTV's Comikaze, followed by a 1996 appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman that brought him his big break.[13] He won the 1997 grand prize at the Seattle Comedy Competition. The next year he appeared in an episode of Fox's series That '70s Show.

In 1999, he completed his own independent feature film, Los Enchiladas!, which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in.[13][14] He recorded three comedy albums: Strategic Grill Locations, Mitch All Together, and Do You Believe in Gosh?, the last released posthumously. He performed at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal three times: in 1998, 2001, and 2004.

Concurrent with his rising fame in the entertainment industry, Hedberg appeared on Letterman nine more times, signed a half-million-dollar deal with Fox for a television sitcom, and was dubbed "the next Seinfeld" by Time.[15] George Carlin, Dave Chappelle, Mike Birbiglia, Norm MacDonald and Lewis Black were among his comedian fans.[16] Comedians Anthony Jeselnik, Bo Burnham and Ron Funches have listed Hedberg as an influence.[17][18][19]

On September 9, 2008, Comedy Central Records released the album Do You Believe in Gosh?, which contained material Hedberg recorded at The Improv in Ontario, California, in January 2005. Hedberg's wife Lynn wrote in the introduction that the performance had been in preparation for a year-end CD recording.[20]

Comedic style

edit

Hedberg's stand-up comedy was characterized by short, surreal, one-liners and absurd observations about everyday life, delivered in a distinctive low-energy, deadpan drawl.[6][14] He often performed wearing sunglasses, with long hair covering his face, while staring down at the floor or at his feet.[21] Hedberg suffered from stage fright throughout his career.[12][14]

His one-liner comedy was often compared to that of Steven Wright, though Hedberg rejected the comparison.[21] In 1998, Time magazine dubbed Hedberg "the next Seinfeld,"[2] though writer Sam Anderson, in a Slate article following Hedberg's death, argued that the comparison overlooked Seinfeld's "edge of social superiority" and the positivity in Hedberg's comedy, stating, "unlike Seinfeld, he was easy to like."[15]

Personal life

edit

Shortly after launching his stand-up career in 1989, Hedberg began a long-term relationship with Jana Johnson—an art student—after meeting her in a bar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Later, he met Canadian comedian Lynn Shawcroft during a "New Faces" showcase at a Just for Laughs festival in 1996. Following a breakup with Johnson in October 1998, Hedberg married Shawcroft several months later, in February 1999.[7][22] Shawcroft toured with Hedberg as his opening act.[23]

Hedberg had a history of recreational drug use, including heroin. By the time he met Shawcroft in 1996, he had already tried the drug.[22] On June 23, 2003, Hedberg was arrested at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for heroin possession,[24] spending two and a half days in jail, and six weeks in a hospital.[12] An infection in his right leg led to rumors that it would be amputated,[12] though following a successful operation, Hedberg was left with a limp he experienced for the rest of his life.[22]

In a December 2001 interview with Korn frontman Jonathan Davis for Penthouse, Davis asked Hedberg how he would end his own life if he could choose. Hedberg replied, "First I'd want to get famous, and then I'd overdose. If I overdosed at this stage in my career, I would be lucky if I made the back pages."[25][26] On a March 17, 2005 interview for The Howard Stern Show two weeks before Hedberg's death, Howard Stern, prompted by Hedberg's mention of having his drug use under control, asked him if he knew how to use them responsibly, to which Hedberg replied "Yeah, you know, just for the creative side of it."[26]

Death

edit
Hedberg's grave in Roseville, Minnesota

Following the conclusion of a 44-city tour on March 20, 2005, Hedberg and Shawcroft traveled between various hotels, reportedly avoiding phone calls from friends and family.[16][6] On March 29, the couple checked into an upscale hotel room in Livingston, New Jersey.[16] Shawcroft later found Hedberg collapsed in their hotel room,[27][a] and he was pronounced dead on the morning of March 30, 2005, at the age of 37.[10][14]

The next morning, Hedberg was scheduled for a phone interview with the Kirk, Mark and Lopez morning show on the Baltimore radio station WIYY-FM. When the show's hosts called his number, a "distraught-sounding" woman answered, stated Hedberg was unavailable, and hung up. He was additionally scheduled for five shows at the Baltimore Improv starting that night.[28] Hedberg's death was first announced by Howard Stern on March 31.[29][30] The timing of Stern's report led many to believe that the announcement of Hedberg's death was an April Fools' Day joke.[26][31]

Initial speculation suggested Hedberg's death may have been drug-related, though his mother Mary dismissed these claims, attributing his death to heart failure related to a heart defect.[1][32] However, in December 2005, the music magazine Spin obtained the official toxicology report from the New Jersey medical examiner's office, which formally ruled his cause of death as "multiple drug toxicity" resulting from an accidental overdose of cocaine and heroin.[33]

Hedberg's funeral was held on April 5 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Woodbury, Minnesota.[34] He was buried at Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville, Minnesota, and his mother Mary was buried next to him following her death in 2012.[7]

Discography

edit
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[35]		 US
Comedy
[36]		 US
Indie
[37]		 US
Heat.
[38]
Strategic Grill Locations —4[c]———
Mitch All Together
  • Released: December 9, 2003
  • Label: Comedy Central Records
  • Format: CD/DVD,[42] LP
 —22228US: Gold[43]
Do You Believe in Gosh?
  • Released: September 9, 2008
  • Label: Comedy Central Records
  • Format: CD,[44] LP
 1811——
The Complete Vinyl Collection
  • Released: November 4, 2016
  • Label: Comedy Central Records
  • Format: 4×LP[45]
 —3———
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Mitch Hedberg film work
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1999 Los Enchiladas! LeeDirector and writer [46][47]
2000 Almost Famous Eagles Road Manager [48]
2005 Lords of Dogtown Urethane Wheels GuyPosthumous release [49][50]

Television

edit
Mitch Hedberg television work
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Comedy Product Himself [51]
1998 That '70s Show Frank Episode: "Eric's Buddy"[52]
Premium Blend Himself [53]
Late Show with David Letterman Himself 10 episodes[49]
1999 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Himself 2 episodes[54]
Comedy Central Presents Himself [55]
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn Himself [56]
Home Movies Dr. Fizzel, Eulogist, Mitch, Police Officer [57]
2001 Ed Dave Episode: "Losing Streak"
Just for Laughs in Montreal Himself
Late Friday Himself [58]
2002 Saddle Rash Voice role Rejected Adult Swim pilot[59]
2003 Late Night with Conan O'Brien Himself 2 episodes[48]
Crank Yankers Himself [56]
2004 Shorties Watchin' Shorties Himself Episode: "Oswalt, Hedberg, Caliendo, Morris"

Notes

edit
  1. ↑ Itzkoff's description of events states Shawcroft found Hedberg collapsed on March 29, though the date of his death was recorded as March 30.
  2. ↑ Strategic Grill Locations was originally self-released by Hedberg in 1999.[39] The album was re-released by Comedy Central Records in 2003.[40]
  3. ↑ The album's 2003 re-release charted in 2005.[41]

References

edit
  1. 1 2 "Mitch Hedberg, 37, Dies". The Washington Post. April 4, 2005. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Stein, Joel (August 10, 1998). "Funny: The Next Generation". Time. Archived from the original on January 18, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  3. ↑ Love, Matthew (February 14, 2017). "50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Mary A. Hedberg". Pioneer Press. February 28, 2012. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  5. ↑ McCarthy, Sean L. (February 20, 2020). "NYC This Weekend: Comedy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Brownfield, Paul (April 2, 2005). "Mitch Hedberg, 37; Comedian Was Known for His Offbeat Musings". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gillmer, Charlie (March 4, 2020). "Mitch Hedberg's Minnesota: The people and places that shaped the iconic comic". City Pages. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ Birmingham, Steve (April 15, 2005). "In Memoriam: Mitch Hedberg". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  9. ↑ Boyd, Sara (August 20, 2009). "Curiocity: Family, Friends Remember Hedberg With Golf Tourney". CBS Minnesota. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Mitch Hedberg Obituary - St. Paul, MN". Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  11. ↑ Buckley, Jeremy (November 11, 2004). "Laughs coming to Lied, if comedian can find it". The Daily Nebraskan. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Brownfield, Paul (November 16, 2003). "It's a living, if not quite a life". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Sebesta, Courtney (May 22, 2005). "Bittersweet Showing of Comic's Film". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, TX. p. 107. Retrieved October 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  14. 1 2 3 4 McKinley, Jesse (April 1, 2005). "Mitch Hedberg, a Comedian Who Performed Surreal Routines, Dies at 37". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  15. 1 2 Anderson, Sam (May 11, 2005). "Last Laugh". Slate. Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 Fierman, Daniel (July 8, 2005). "The rise and fall of comedy's Kurt Cobain". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Talking to Anthony Jeselnik About 'The Jeselnik Offensive,' His Career Goals, and What Comedy Central Won't Let Him Say". July 18, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Bo Burnham lists "my favorite comedians," and releases a confessional video: "Art is Dead" – the Comic's Comic". October 29, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Cameo critic: Ron Funches loves 'I Love Lucy'". www.startribune.com. May 9, 2015. Archived from the original on November 26, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  20. ↑ Shawcroft, Lynn (2008). "liner notes". Do You Believe In Gosh? (Media notes).
  21. 1 2 Murray, Noel (September 8, 2004). "Mitch Hedberg". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 Fierman, Daniel (July 8, 2005). "Comic Tragedy". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 16, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg, 37, Dies; Offbeat Stand-Up Comedian". The Washington Post. April 4, 2005. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  24. ↑ Hyman, Peter (January 2006). "Alt Comedy Goes Rock and Roll". Spin. p. 72.
  25. ↑ Davis, Jonathan (December 2001). "Stand-Up Guys". Penthouse. p. 66.
  26. 1 2 3 Alpsen, Tony (March 31, 2026). "Mitch Hedberg Eerily Predicted How He Would Die (And Many Thought His Death Was a Hoax)". Vice. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  27. ↑ Itzkoff, Dave (September 3, 2008). "A Comic's Second Life, Despite a Deadly Overdose". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Comic Mitch Hedberg dies". Baltimore Sun. April 1, 2005. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  29. ↑ Cataldo, Jesse (April 7, 2005). "Comedian dies". The Hofstra Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Show Rundown: March 31, 2005". The Howard Stern Show. March 31, 2005. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg, 37, Comedian, Filmmaker". South Florida Sun Sentinel. April 2, 2005. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg". Variety. April 6, 2005. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Report: Mitch Hedberg OD'd". CBS News. Associated Press. December 27, 2005. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Mitch L. Hedberg". Pioneer Press. April 3, 2005. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg Chart History (Top Comedy Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  39. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (August 8, 2023). "The 40 best comedy albums of all time, ranked". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  40. ↑ Parsons, Charles (April 1, 2005). "Beloved comic, actor dies at 37". The Badger Herald. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Comedy Albums Chart (July 30, 2005)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  42. ↑ Boult, Adam (June 14, 2014). "The best standups on Spotify: Mitch Hedberg – Mitch All Together". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  43. ↑ "American album certifications – Mitch Hedberg – Mitch All Together". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  44. ↑ Raubicheck, Mauri (July 14, 2008). "COMEDY CENTRAL Records(R) to Release New Mitch Hedberg CD 'Do You Believe in Gosh?'". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  45. ↑ Wright, Megh (September 6, 2016). "Comedy Central to Release 'Mitch Hedberg: The Complete Vinyl Collection' in November". Vulture. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  46. ↑ Boller, Jay (January 15, 2025). "A 25th(ish) Anniversary Oral History of Mitch Hedberg's Never-Released Movie". Racket. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Los Enchiladas! - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  48. 1 2 Carey, Matthew (August 6, 2024). "Principal Photography Wraps On Documentary About Late Comedian Mitch Hedberg, King Of One Liners Who Made Letterman, Conan, Gaffigan Laugh". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  49. 1 2 Gajewski, Ryan (March 30, 2025). "Mitch Hedberg Doc Director on 20th Anniversary of Comedian's Death: "We Need Mitch More Than Ever"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 30, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Lords of Dogtown - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  51. ↑ "EVENT: Mitch Hedberg comedy show". University of Rochester. January 27, 2004. Archived from the original on June 21, 2004. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  52. ↑ "That '70s Show: Eric's Buddy". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  53. ↑ Richardson, Jay (April 9, 2007). "Mitch Hedberg: Mitch All Together Review". Future Movies. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  54. ↑ Brandel, Christine (August 12, 2015). "'Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist' Is Older But Still Wise and Just As Funny". PopMatters. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  55. ↑ Jackson, Matthew (August 1, 2023). "The 30 greatest stand-up comedy specials of all time". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  56. 1 2 "Comedy Preview: Stand-up Mitch Hedberg sells out Cohen". The Tufts Daily. March 9, 2005. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Home Movies - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Mitch Hedberg". Dead-Frog. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  59. ↑ Evans, Bradford (November 17, 2011). "The Lost Roles of Sarah Silverman". Vulture. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mitch_Hedberg&oldid=1355416628"