Remembering Reggie McFadden's Comedy Legacy
Reggie McFadden, Comedian and In Living Color Star, Dies in Tanzania at 57
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Key Points
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On In Living Color, McFadden appeared in sketches including “Wheel of Dozens,” “All Up in the Family” and “Dirty Dozens Tournament of Champions”; the 1993–94 episodes were part of the show’s fifth and final season.
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McFadden starred in Fox’s short-lived 1998 sitcom Getting Personal and played Officer Burt, neighbor to Larry David, in a 2001 episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
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In Tanzania, McFadden owned Olduvai Records, described as a gold-mining and entertainment production company; the company’s website said it had a global distribution agreement with Sony Music’s The Orchard.
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McFadden is survived by his sons Jaron and Myles, his mother Vivian, and siblings Bernice, Misty and Kris.
Reggie McFadden, the Brooklyn-born comedian and actor known for his work on HBO's Def Comedy Jam and Fox's In Living Color, has died at 57. ArtVoice reports that McFadden died in Tanzania, where he had lived for roughly 18 years. His sister, bestselling author Bernice McFadden, said the family learned of his death through the U.S. State Department, but the exact date and cause remain unknown.
McFadden built a decades-long career in comedy and television. He appeared in 23 episodes of In Living Color during the show's fifth and final season in 1993–94, performing in sketches like "Wheel of Dozens" and "Dirty Dozens Tournament of Champions." He also guest-starred on shows including Martin, Moesha, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and appeared in films such as Jacob's Ladder and Little Nicky.
Television Career and Comedy Special Work
McFadden starred in Fox's short-lived 1998 sitcom Getting Personal and played Officer Burt, a neighbor to Larry David, in a 2001 episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Beyond scripted television, he became a regular performer in Las Vegas venues and recorded a Comedy Central special during his career.
In 2025, McFadden released a new comedy album, showing he remained active in the entertainment industry late in his life. His work spanned from the golden age of sketch comedy in the 1990s through recent years, cementing his place as a fixture in stand-up and television comedy.
Life and Business Ventures in Tanzania
After nearly two decades in Tanzania, McFadden had built a business presence there. He owned Olduvai Records, a company described as operating in gold mining and entertainment production. ArtVoice reports the company had secured a global distribution agreement with Sony Music's The Orchard, giving McFadden a platform for music and entertainment projects.
McFadden's decision to relocate to Tanzania marked a significant shift in his life and career. While he moved away from Hollywood and Las Vegas, he remained connected to the entertainment industry through his record label and continued to pursue creative work.
Family and Legacy
McFadden is survived by his sons Jaron and Myles, his mother Vivian, and his siblings Bernice, Misty, and Kris. His sister Bernice, who confirmed his death, is a bestselling author known for her own work in literature. The family's ties to creative fields run deep across generations.
McFadden's legacy rests on his contributions to comedy and sketch television during a pivotal era. From Def Comedy Jam's groundbreaking platform for Black comedians to In Living Color's cultural impact, his work helped shape comedy in the 1990s and beyond.
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