Joe Bodolai Dies: Apparent Suicide For Former 'SNL' Writer

Former 'SNL' Writer Dies In Apparent Suicide

Former "Saturday Night Live" writer Joe Bodolai has died in an apparent suicide, TMZ reports. His body was found in a Los Angeles hotel room by a cleaning crew, with a mix of anti-freeze and Gatorade nearby.

UPDATE 3:03 PM: The AP reports that the LA coroner's office officially ruled the death a suicide.

Bodolai, a writer on "SNL" for the 1981-1982 season and a producer on the Canadian hit sketch show "Kids in the Hall," kept a blog called "Say It Ain't So, Joe," where he posted a long final note on December 23rd. In his short section of "Things I Regret," he included, "My inability to conquer my alcoholism" and "That I am no longer able to withstand any more of life's pain."

The section of things he is proud of, however, paints a picture of an impressive and happy life, both professional and personal. Proud of his two grown sons ("graceful, intelligent, strong, handsome, creative and loving young men"), and his wife Bianca ("If there is a loving god, she was my blessing"), Bodolai listed his resistance to the Vietnam War and campaigning for Robert Kennedy amongst his proudest personal moments.

Professionally, he was most proud of writing for "SNL" and producing videos with Andy Warhol; being asked by Lorne Michaels to produce "Kids in the Hall"; helping bring Major League Baseball to Toronto; creating a comedy show on Canadian television that he felt would help the nation compete creatively; and writing the first draft of "Wayne's World" with Mike Myers.

About his time with "Kids In The Hall," he wrote:

Lorne asking me to produce Kids in the Hall. Long story here. He didn’t tell me that HBO was going to cancel the show after the first season. I kept it alive. Honest to god. The cast and crew had no idea what I did and I didn’t either. It would not have gone to season two had I not become the me I loved. Thinking on my feet in the breakfast meeting in the HBO boardroom with Bridget Potter. The Kids have no idea. Ask John Blanchard, who was there but probably will not get what I did. I saved his job too. I f*ckin' kicked ass.

On the 22nd, Bodolai wrote on Facebook, "I'm alone this year and am volunteering serving Christmas dinner to the homeless. Perhaps I will be one, but I love all of you and if I make it to next year let's make it a morally, spiritually, better and funnier year."

Bodolai finished his blog entry by writing, "I don't need replies or comments or anything. I need to feel the good that I did and whatever good I have ever done for you is enough for me. May you all have the happy lives you deserve. Thank you all for being in my life. Love, Joe."

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot