Freddie Roman — an OG New York comedian and beloved showbiz figure — has died… TMZ has learned.
The actor/writer/producer and versatile funny man died Saturday afternoon at a hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida, after suffering a heart attack earlier this morning at his country club… according to his daughter, Judi Levin.
We are told he died in bed with his family around, including his 63-year-old wife, Ethelwho was with him until the end.
Roman may be best remembered as a fixture of the Friars Club – he was once the head of the famous New York club, which offered memberships to tons of comics/celebrities over the years. FR was the dean of the 90s until Larry King succeeded him in 2014.
A seasoned, seasoned comedian himself, Roman has performed at countless big-name venues over the years…including Caesars Palace in Vegas and Harrah’s in Atlantic City, among others. Roman has also been part of several major roasts through Comedy Central.
Some of the stars he’s scolded in the past… Drew Carey, Rob Reiner, Hugh Heffner, Chevy-Chase, Jerry Stiller and many, many others who had a Roman joke thrown at them.
Roman has also starred in a handful of shows and movies, including ‘Red Oaks’, ‘The Comedian’, ‘Bittersweet Place’, ‘Law & Order: Criminal Intent’, ‘Finding North’, ‘Sweet Lorraine’ and more. Again. He is also famous for writing and acting in a well-known revue, “Catskills on Broadway”.
Freddie continued to perform well into his later years and was an integral part of New York comedy for a long, long time. He is survived by his wife and daughter… Roman was 85 years old.
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