Comedian And Friend, Carl LaBove, Lost His Battle With Cancer
As a comedian I’ve been lucky enough to work with so many amazing comedians throughout my career. One of the them was Carl LaBove, who died this past weekend at the age of 62.
Carl LaBove was an original member of “The Outlaws of Comedy,” co-founded by, and featuring, his friend Sam Kinison. Along with Allan Stephan and the late Mitchell Walters, “The Outlaws” became a top draw on the road. LaBove was a passenger with Sam Kinison when Kinison was killed in a crash in 1992, on their way to a gig in Laughlin.
Over the last several years I worked with Carl, he was able to talk openly about the accident, and about his often tumultuous, and complicated relationship with his old friend Sam.
He told me (when I worked with him the last time – in Utah, where we had to drink beer outside by the dumpster at the hotel, so we wouldn’t get arrested), “I’ve forgiven him. I found out he was the father of my daughter after he died. He was having an affair with my wife.”
Carl LaBove was from Fort Worth. He headlined several Las Vegas clubs over the years, including Brad Garrett’s, Laugh Factory, Sin City Comedy & Burlesque at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, and the now defunct, Riviera. He also made several appearances on “The Tonight Show” Showtime, and HBO. He also had two concert CDs and a live-concert special. He was featured in Showtime’s 2020 series on the history of the Comedy Store in Hollywood.
As well as being a hilariously funny comedian, Carl LaBove was a good man. He dealt with a lot in his life – good, bad, and so much that was so interesting, and personal, in between – and I know he was hoping to share it. So I hope, soon, someone writes the book, or does the movie or documentary. Carl deserves to be celebrated.
Some good video below. Enjoy!
-Carla Rea
