Fans Remember Late Comedian Paul Mooney As A Genius: 'He Taught A Generation Of Comedians To Be Fearless'

The Godfather of Black Comedy and TRULY Unapologetic Blackness has left the building. RIP Paul Mooney. pic.twitter.com/a7vOQgLx0p

— Torraine Walker (@TorraineWalker) May 19, 2021

I saw #PaulMooney perform at Caroline’s maybe ten years ago. He was in rare form that night — so much so that at the end of the set he had all the remaining white people in the audience stand up and be applauded for making it all the way through. #RIP

— jelani cobb (@jelani9) May 19, 2021

According to journalist and talk show host Roland Martin, who received word of Mooney's death from one of his family members, the comedian passed away on Wednesday morning at his home in Oakland, California.

BREAKING NEWS: Comedic legend Paul Mooney has passed away. His cousin, Rudy Ealy, just called me from Paul's phone and said he passed away two hours ago after suffering a heart attack at his home in Oakland. He was 79. We will pay tribute to him tonight on #RolandMartinUnfiltered

— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) May 19, 2021

Mooney's family also expressed their appreciation for the fans who have shown an outpouring of love following his death. 

Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts …you’re all are the best!…… Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy – ONE MOON MANY STARS! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks????????

— Paul Mooney (@PaulEalyMooney) May 19, 2021

Awww…. RIP comedy legend Paul Mooney! You were both funny and poignant. So happy to have witnessed your genius live. Rest well!!! Pour down some laughter here. We need it ???????????? pic.twitter.com/cr6MqY3UXA

— Viola Davis (@violadavis) May 19, 2021

We are deeply saddened & our hearts are broken by the news of the passing of @PaulEalyMooney. He was a staple of our industry, godfather to many of our careers & a founding father of standup comedy as we know it. He will be truly missed. Make God Laugh, Paul. ???? https://t.co/bYsNzpqBQt

— The Laugh Factory (@TheLaughFactory) May 19, 2021

The 79-year-old had an extensive repertoire, most famous for being a writer for the late comedian Richard Pryor, and for playing the role of Sam Cooke in the 1978 film The Buddy Holly Story.

He also rose to prominence as the writer for shows like Sanford and Sons and Good Times. In addition, the Louisiana native briefly wrote for the sketch comedy series In Living Color.

RIP the great Paul Mooney. It was an honor to be a back of the room student for his late night master classes when I was a doorman back in the day.

— marc maron (@marcmaron) May 19, 2021

Paul Mooney. A comedy giant. I recall listening to his RACE album in college and how formative it was. Yeah, the jokes. But more so, the freedom. He spoke freely and fearlessly about feelings and experiences others found difficult to express. May he be truly free now. Rest, sir.

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 19, 2021

In a 2016 interview with Vulture, director and producer who worked with Mooney, Robert Townsend spoke of his tenacity and influence on upcoming comedians.

“Paul didn’t care to be loved. He wanted to speak his mind,” he said. “He taught a generation of comedians to be fearless.”