Also paying tribute to the veteran comic are Jack Whitehall who labels him a 'true maverick,' and Matt Lucas who remembers him for his brilliance and originality onstage.
- April 13, 2019
AceShowbiz - Comedian Jimmy Carr has paid tribute to his mentor Ian Cognito after he died during a stand-up show on Thursday night (April 11).
The veteran comic was performing at a comedy club in Bicester, England when he fell ill onstage, sat down on a chair and then passed away.
Audience members told the BBC they thought it was all "part of the act" and continued to laugh, unaware he had died.
Cognito was pronounced dead at the scene.
British TV regular Carr, who recently filmed a Netflix comedy special, was among the first to pay tribute to the late comedian, tweeting, "Veteran stand-up comedian Ian Cognito has died on-stage - literally. The audience thought it was part of the act. Died with his boots on. That's commitment to comedy."
"I'll never forget his kindness when I started out & how god damn funny he was."
Veteran stand-up comedian Ian Cognito has died on-stage - literally. The audience thought it was part of the act. Died with his boots on. That’s commitment to comedy. I’ll never forget his kindness when I started out & how god damn funny he was.
— Jimmy Carr (@jimmycarr) April 12, 2019
Another top British comic, Jack Whitehall, has also paid tribute to Cognito, calling him a "true maverick."
"(I) gigged with him when i first started out and he was always so much fun, had his own mythology on the circuit his exploits where legendary (sic). A true maverick. Hope he's found somewhere to hang his coat in heaven."
Ian Cognito has passes away. Gigged with him when i first started out and he was always so much fun, had his own mythology on the circuit his exploits where legendary. A true maverick. Hope he’s found somewhere to hang his coat in heaven.
— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) April 12, 2019
The late comedian started his act by hammering a nail into a wall and hanging his coat on it.
In shock at the news of Ian Cognito's sudden passing. He was always kind to me when I started out, and brilliant and provocative and entirely original onstage. What a loss.
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) April 12, 2019
And funnyman Matt Lucas added, "In shock at the news of Ian Cognito's sudden passing. He was always kind to me when I started out, and brilliant and provocative and entirely original onstage. What a loss."
