#Tom Johnson, ‘The Daily Show’ Writer, Dies at 55

Tom Johnson, who won two Emmy Awards for his writing on The Daily Show, has died. He was 55.

He died “peacefully and unexpectedly” at his Los Angeles home on Jan. 14 of a cardiac issue, his wife, Rozie Bacchi, told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Tom passed away peacefully last Sunday afternoon. It was unexpected,” Bacchi, who is also an actress, shared in a statement. “He never got to eat the Texas toast he was making, or the 4 lbs. of crab legs he found on sale and crammed in the freezer two nights prior. Tom had such a big heart and cared deeply about taking care of others. His work ethic was impeccable. He was fair, kind, talented, inclusive, and funny as hell.”

She continued, “Although he was an accomplished comedy writer with numerous fancy awards, he was selfless and always said he should have been in the F.B.I. like his father. If you knew him, you knew that he was ‘in 9/11, on 9/11, and at 9/11’ and figured he’d be dead by the age of 40 anyway. Maybe that is why he lived his life to the fullest. He was a voracious reader, eater, and rescuer of cats. It brought him great joy to play pranks on those he loved. … He would be so grateful to see the outpouring of love and support. Rest in peace, Tom. You deserve the best. I love you.”

Born on July 25, 1968, in Fairfax, Virginia, Johnson began his comedy career after college and founded the Network Comedy Troupe. He also toured as a comedian and performed at venues across the country and on television shows.

Johnson was initially hired in 1996 as a writer on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show when Craig Kilborn was the host. He continued with the show when Jon Stewart took over as host in 1999 and stayed there until 2003. Johnson also made a few appearances on screen, playing hacker Lord Viper Scorpion for a handful of episodes from 2000 to 2001.

He won the Primetime Emmy for best writing for a variety, music or comedy program in 2001 and 2003 for The Daily Show. He also won two Peabody Awards and scored another Emmy nomination in 2002.

Johnson co-created The Jeselnik Offensive with Anthony Jeselnik in 2013. He also served as an executive producer and head writer on the show.

He also worked as a writer on Lopez Tonight from 2010 to 2011. Before that, he was the head writer on Talk Show With Spike Feresten from 2007 to 2009.

His other TV writing and producing credits include The Grammy Awards, Stand-Up Nation with Greg Giraldo, The Gamekillers, Reality Bites Back, Talkshow with Spike Feresten, Lopez Tonight, WTF with Marc Maron, Scream Awards, Comedy Central Roasts, The Jeselnik Offensive, MTV Video Music Awards, Guys Choice Awards, Comedy Knockout, Nice One!, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Party Challenge, Caraoke Showdown, Punk’d and more.

Johnson collaborated with several comedy icons throughout his career, including Joan Rivers, Greg Giraldo, Jon Stewart, Marc Maron, Arsenio Hall, George Lopez, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart and Nikki Glaser.

He is also survived by his sisters Pamela Dawn Foels and Cindy Johnson Doerr; brothers-in-law Stephen Foels and Steve Doerr; nieces Jennifer Lynne Sims, Amanda Jean Strathman, Brooke Alexandra Beck and their spouses; great nieces Cameron Hazel Sims and Zoey Violet Strathman; and cats Billie, Sal and Mama.

His wife said he had multiple projects that he was planning to pitch in the future.

A celebratory memorial will be held in the coming months.