Comedian and musician Bo Burnham died at age 24 after being attacked by an angry fan near the end of his college tour. Burnham was known for his YouTube videos and introspective comedy that pushed boundaries. He had a successful career over just a few years, releasing albums and specials that were critically acclaimed. Though struggling at times with fame and its effects, Burnham expressed himself through comedy and music and had a positive impact on many fans before his untimely death in 2014.

1. Oh…Bo.
Comedian/Musician, Bo Burnham (Robert Pickering Burnham) has died, aged 24 after being brutally
attacked during a meet and greet after a show. Burnham was best known for his infamous YouTube videos
and his ‘introspective material with challenges to the form’ (quoted from the What. finale) As a satire
comedian, Burnham often pushed boundaries, this time it seems maybe he pushed it a little too far.
A ‘born Bostonian’ (Bo fo sho’ EP) he chose to attend St. John’s Preparatory School where he was on honor
roll and involved in the theatre and campus ministry program. 2006 was the year that Bo described as the
start of his musical comedy career – he performed original songs about teenage angst to fellow
actors/actresses during drama rehearsals. In December of 2006, he recorded and posted his first YouTube
video, ‘My Whole Family thinks I’m Gay’ as a humorous message to an elder sibling – soon enough, the video
went viral turning this ‘precious 16 year old’ (Egghead blurb) in to an over night sensation. Bo graduated
from St. John’s in spring 2008 and though getting in to a college, he chose not to go in order to pursue his
comedy career. The talent Bo showed in the past few years’ surprises no one at St. John’s.
In June of 2008, Bo released his first EP, ‘Bo Fo Sho,’ signed a four way contract with Comedy Central, met
Judd Apatow, managed to get an offer with universal pictures for an Apatow produced comedy anti -high
school musical, which Bo promises is not a spin off of Disney’s movies and recorded his first live
performance in London, England. This is quite a long way to come in only two years; it’s quite a lot to
achieve for such a young comedian whose fame and popularity was almost accidental.
In 2009, Bo released his first full album, self titled: ‘Bo Burnham’ – he toured with this under the name, Fake
I.D. He also appeared on comedy central presents in March, the movie American Virgin and Funny People as
a cast member.
2010, Bo toured with, ‘Bo Burnham and (no) Friends’ for one of his most successful albums, ‘Words Words
Words’ in May – he was awarded ‘best comedy show’ in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. One of his larger
achievements in his short but successful career was MTV announcing they had reserved a slot for a new
show – which in 2013 was announced by Burnham himself; that his MTV show, ‘Zach Stone is gonna be
Famous’ will premier, May 2nd. Unfortunately, after not picking up many views, the show was officially
cancelled June 6th the same year.
2013 proved to be one his more successful/interesting years as Bo released a new hour long special free on
YouTube and Netflix, entitled: What. Although there was a definite change of the Bo we saw a few years ago
– it was still invigorating and enticing – the show went from satire to brutal honesty in the space of three
minutes. Bo toured with What. and recently released a poetry book called, Egghead: or you can’t survive on
ideas alone.
Unfortunately, near the end of his college tour – Bo came face to face with an angry fan where his life was
taken from us.
Although Bo was often seen as struggling, whether that was due to self esteem issues or problems
addressed in his more personal song, ‘Art is Dead’ which is an eye opener in to the world of fame and
fortune, he managed to express himself through comedy and music and was very successful in doing so.
Bo Burnham was an extremely talented young comedian and musician – he had a positive impact on a lot of
fans and will surely be missed, the work he did is highly respected and will continue to be even after his
unfortunate passing.
“I definitely see him as a role model - especially as a budding comedian. Plus I think he’s just a really nice
guy. Honestly anyone who can make money doing what they love is an inspiration.” – Nadia Leiby
”He’s this really smart musical comedian. His song will make you laugh really hard, but they’ll also make you
think about all of bullshit that goes on in the world….he’s a dumb cute nerd” – Preston Parrish
“He’s this really cool comedian that does things differently. He started when he was my age! MY AGE?!
That’s crazy! He uses music he uses dance he uses all these crazy mediums. His stage persona is an asshole
but that’s not him. He’s just cool and smart and direly funny.” – Hannah Weir
“Bo is actually the biggest reason I ever had an interest in comedy. I think I idolize him because that. After
watching “what.” for the first time I knew that I wanted to do something just like that.” – Bailey Nicole Kelley
August 21st 1990 – November 28th 2014