Comedian commits apparent suicide, police said
Story Highlights
. NEW: Richard Jeni's girlfriend said he shot himself in the face
. NEW: 45-year-old comedian died at the hospital
. NEW: Police have not confirmed it was a suicide
. Jeni was in numerous movies, wrote material for 2005 Academy Awards

WEST HOLLYWOOD, California (AP) -- Richard Jeni, a standup comedian
who played to sold-out crowds, was a regular on the "Tonight Show"
and appeared in movies, died of a gunshot wound in an apparent
suicide, police said Sunday.

Police found the 45-year-old comedian alive but gravely injured in a
West Hollywood home when they responded to a call Saturday morning
from Jeni's girlfriend, Los Angeles Police Officer Norma Eisenman
said.
Eisenman said the caller told police: "My boyfriend shot himself in
the face."

Jeni died at a nearby hospital.

Eisenman said suicide had not been officially confirmed and the
investigation was continuing.

Jeni regularly toured the country with a standup act and had starred
in several HBO comedy specials, most recently "A Big Steaming Pile of
Me" during the 2005-06 season.

Another HBO special, "Platypus Man," won a Cable ACE award for best
standup comedy special, and formed the basis for his UPN sitcom of
the same name, which ran for one season.

Jeni's movie credits included "The Mask," in which he played Jim
Carrey's best friend, "The Aristocrats," "National Lampoon's Dad's
Week Off," and "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn."

He had guest appearances on the TV shows "Everybody Hates Chris,"
"Married: With Children," and updated versions of the game shows
"Hollywood Squares" and "Match Game."

The Brooklyn-born comic first received national attention in 1990
with the Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy From New York City." Two
years later, his "Crazy From the Heat" special attracted the highest
ratings in Showtime's history.

Jeni became a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show" during Johnny
Carson's reign and continued to appear after Jay Leno took over as
host.
He also wrote comic material for the 2005 Academy Awards, which was
hosted by his friend Chris Rock.