Reggie McFadden, the comedian and actor who appeared on Def Comedy Jam and In Living Color before eventually building a life in Tanzania, has died at 57.
The U.S. State Department notified McFadden’s sister, best-selling author Bernice McFadden, that her brother died in Tanzania. McFadden had been living in Tanzania for 18 years. The family has not been informed as to how the comedian died or what caused his death, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
A Brooklyn native born Nov. 30, 1968, McFadden turned to comedy after growing up in the projects. A biography published by The Comedy Store says he saw stand-up as a possible way out of the life he had known.
That path eventually took him to HBO, where he performed on Def Comedy Jam in 1991. After relocating to Los Angeles, McFadden began collecting television credits, appearing on Martin, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Moesha and Coach.
His most notable television run came on In Living Color. McFadden appeared in 23 episodes during the Fox sketch show’s fifth and final season in 1993 and 1994, taking part in sketches including “Wheel of Dozens,” “All Up in the Family” and the “Dirty Dozens Tournament of Champions.”
McFadden later starred alongside Vivica A. Fox and others in the 1998 Fox sitcom Getting Personal, though the series lasted only one season. His film credits included Jacob’s Ladder, Minor Adjustments and Little Nicky. He also appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2001 as Officer Burt, a neighbor of Larry David’s character.
Beyond acting, McFadden continued performing stand-up and had his own Comedy Central special. He also performed regularly at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
In Tanzania, he owned Olduvai Records, a gold-mining and entertainment company, and released the album ENJOY, Vol. 1 in 2025.
Hampton University film studies director Rel Dowdell called McFadden a talented veteran whose dedication to his craft was evident throughout his career.
He is survived by his sisters Bernice and Misty, sons Jaron and Myles, mother Vivian and brother Kris.