Famed comedian and radio host, with Staten Island ties, dies suddenly at 67

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For decades, John Mulrooney spent his time using humor to bring people together.

A longtime stand-up comedian and radio host with Staten Island ties, Mulrooney died suddenly Dec. 29 at his home in Coxsackie, New York. He was 67.

The cause of death has not been announced.

According to a family obituary, Mulrooney was born and raised in Brooklyn, and grew up in Holy Cross parish in Flatbush, surrounded by a large, boisterous, close-knit family.

As a student at Brooklyn Technical High School, Mulrooney got into after-school scuffles, and with an early interest in boxing, he eventually competed in the Golden Gloves. Still, it was comedy that would ultimately shape his life.

Mulrooney’s stand-up career began in New York City clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s, performing at venues like Pips in Sheepshead Bay. Over the decades, he became a veteran of the stage, captivating audiences at legendary spots such as the Improv, the Comic Strip and the Laugh Factory, with his improvisational style and fearless crowd work.

Success on stage soon opened doors beyond stand-up.

Mulrooney competed on “Star Search” and later joined its writers’ room, gaining experience behind the camera. He regularly guest-hosted “The Pat Sajak Show,” joined the rotating roster of hosts who replaced Joan Rivers on “The Late Show,” hosted Fox’s stand-up series “Comic Strip Live,” and contributed to programs on Showtime, HBO, A&E and Comedy Central, according to the Times Union.

In the late 1990s, Mulrooney brought his quick wit to radio, co-hosting WPYX’s morning show with Bob “The Wolf” Wohlfeld. He became a familiar voice across the Capital Region, delighting listeners with humor, banter and a knack for connecting with everyday people.

According to public records, Mulrooney lived on Staten Island for a time and his closest family continues to live on the borough.

At times, Mulrooney also lived in Cleveland and California. The comedian eventually moved to upstate New York to join the Poughkeepsie-based WPDH in 2010. In 2014, he launched “Mulrooney in the Morning” on iHeartRadio, blending storytelling and comedy.

Mulrooney’s impact extended beyond television and radio. He performed internationally, including on a benefit tour of Israel sponsored by Jerry Seinfeld, and on multiple USO tours in the Middle East during the Global War on Terror — experiences he counted among his proudest moments.

“The toughest part was being treated like a hero by real heroes,” he once said for a 2010 Times Union interview.

Advance/SILive.com records indicate Mulrooney also performed at charity events among his stand-up performances on Staten Island over the years.

In 2011, at age 52, Mulrooney took an unexpected turn into public service, joining the Coxsackie Police Department as a rookie officer. He served for more than a decade while continuing to perform at police and fire department fundraisers nationwide. His dual careers even inspired a pilot for a reality series, “Comedy Cop,” capturing the unusual but harmonious blend of humor and service that defined his life.

Family said Mulrooney was also a recreational pilot.

Mulrooney shared the stage with many notable comedians, including Andrew Dice Clay and Bob Nelson. Adam Sandler once called him one of the performers “you didn’t want to go after,” on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2024, according to the Times Union.

“John was one of these guys that would take young guys under his wing and use whatever influence he had at these comedy clubs (to help them),” friend and fellow comedian Steve Van Zandt told the news outlet.

“To talk to somebody less than two weeks ago, and he had mentioned what he was doing for Christmas, and he was looking forward to 2026 because he had a pretty full calendar,” said Van Zandt. “It’s all so unexpected. It’s still sinking in.”

Above all, his obituary says, Mulrooney cherished family.

“He was a loving son to Joan and Bill; a devoted brother to Billy, Michael, Joanann and Mary; brother-in-law to Jeanmarie, Gail, Jerry and Kevin; and a deeply loving uncle to his ten nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and great-nephews,” the obituary reads. “Family was the constant thread in his life—his source of strength, humor, and grounding—and he spoke of them often with immense love and pride.”

Wake and funeral services for Mulrooney will be held on Staten Island on Jan. 4 and 5. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.