Barry Crimmins, the Boston-based comedian and political activist who was the subject of Bobcat Goldthwait’s 2015 documentary “Call Me Lucky,” has died at age 64 just weeks after disclosing a cancer diagnosis.
His wife, Helen, who herself is battling stage four non-
Helen here with sad news…Barry passed peacefully yesterday with Bobcat and I. He would want everyone to know that he cared deeply about mankind and wants you to carry on the good fight. Peace.
— Barry Crimmins (@crimmins) March 1, 2018
Crimmins was a major figure on the 1980s comedy circuit in Boston where comics such as Stephen Wright, Denis Leary and Bobcat Goldthwait first emerged.
He became famous for his outspoken political views — even serving as a correspondent for the left-leaning talk-radio network Air America. In the 1990s, he revealed during a stand-up set that he had been raped as a child and became an advocate for victims of childhood sexual abuse.
After discovering chatrooms for pedophiles on AOL, Crimmins led a crusade against the company and others he felt were involved in distributing online child pornography, even testifying at a U.S. Senate hearing on the matter.
Tributes quickly poured in for the political satirist. “Barry Crimmins was a compassionate, hilarious man who touched so many lives,” Judd Apatow tweeted.
“Rest in Power Barry Crimmins. You fought with your whole heart to make the world better,” “Daily Show” co-creator Lizz Winstead wrote.
John Hodgman added, “Barry Crimmins has been an inspiration as a comedian and model of human courage and decency for as long as I’ve been conscious.”
Please watch @bcgoldthwait’s documentary “Call Me Lucky” about Barry Crimmins. Barry passed away today & you should know why he was a special person & why we’re all better off because he existed. RIP Barry. https://t.co/5TTRZLDCoH
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) March 1, 2018
Barry Crimmins was a compassionate, hilarious man who touched so many lives. He gave so much of himself to help other people. I hope his life inspires others to follow his example. And he was hilarious. We love you Barry. https://t.co/egRwEfiZda
— Judd Apatow 🇺🇦 (@JuddApatow) March 1, 2018
I had not known this sad sad news til this moment. Barry Crimmins has been an inspiration as a comedian and model of human courage and decency for as long as I’ve been conscious. https://t.co/4UXHKuIf0r
— John Hodgman (@hodgman) March 1, 2018
Rest in Power Barry Crimmins. You fought with your whole heart to make the world better. Thank you. xo
— Lizz "Insufferable Wench" Winstead (@lizzwinstead) March 1, 2018
Barry Crimmins was my brother. He’s a warrior & funny & most of all a very good boy. ❤️to his family & million friends. Barry loved people but not a huge fan of the Pope. Watch the documentary @bcgoldthwait did about him “Call Me Lucky” Barry was #MeToo before #MeToo was #MeToo
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) March 1, 2018