Alex Duong, a comedian, writer and actor based in Los Angeles, has died at the age of 42.
Duong was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma last year, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting soft tissue. He underwent surgery to remove a malignant growth that was blocking blood flow to his optic nerve and caused vision loss. Friends Hilarie and Gregg Steele posted a GoFundMe at the time to support Duong’s family amid overwhelming medical expenses and loss of work. Per Hilarie Steele, Duong was hospitalized with septic shock Friday night and died yesterday at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif.
“With the heaviest hearts, we share that our dear Alex passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by love and dear friends,” the statement read. “He was comfortable and thankfully out of pain. [His wife] Christina and [daughter] Everest were able to see him last night, and he was alert enough to say goodbye to his little girl, whom he has treasured every moment since the day she was born. We are devastated, but so grateful for the support, prayers, and generosity you have all shown during this unimaginable time. Your continued support now means everything as Christina and Everest navigate the days ahead and to arrange a beautiful celebration of his life.”
Last January, pre-diagnosis, Duong was set to perform across 41 states through the year, with some dates alongside The Daily Show correspondent Ronny Chieng, per a Los Angeles Times profile. Donnie Wahlberg, with whom Duong worked across a three-season Blue Bloods arc, had told him prepare for an upcoming spinoff.
Having been a member of SAG-AFTRA since 2009, Duong’s credits include Dexter, Everybody Hates Chris, 90210, The Young and the Restless and Pretty Little Liars. He also wrote for Netflix’s Historical Roasts. Beginning in 2021, he worked as a door guy at the Comedy Store.
“Comedians always have each other’s backs when times are s—. We know how hard it is to pine and struggle and scrape by in this lifestyle, just so we can do these jokes and keep improving. It’s a beautiful thing to see in this world; it really is,” he told LAT about people who supported him amid chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Last August, comedians like Chieng, Atusko Okatsuka, Andrea Jin and others came together to put on “The Alex Duong Has Cancer In His Eye Comedy Benefit Show” at the Largo in Los Angeles.
He is survived by his wife and daughter. Details regarding a celebration of life are forthcoming.