Ralphie May
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Born Name:
Ralph Duren May
Born Date: February 17, 1972
Born Place: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Died Date: October 6, 2017
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Stand-up comedian, actor
Brief Biography: Ralphie May was best known for his booming voice, sharp observational humor, and his breakout second-place finish on the inaugural season of NBC's Last Comic Standing in 2003.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
The Kinison Influence: At age 17, May won a radio contest in Arkansas to open for his idol, legendary comedian Sam Kinison. Kinison recognized his raw talent and urged him to move to Houston, Texas, to develop his comedy routine.
Education: He moved to Los Angeles after graduating from Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He integrated Southern roots with hip-hop culture and urban slang, creating a highly unique, wide-appealing comedy style.
Early Acting: Before finding national fame, he made his feature film debut as Otis in the 2002 urban comedy For da Love of Money.
Rise to National Fame:
Last Comic Standing: In 2003, May competed on the first season of NBC's Last Comic Standing. While he narrowly lost the top spot to Dat Phan, the massive exposure transformed him into a household name and an overnight touring headliner.
Crossover Appeal: Known for challenging stereotypes, he was the only white comedian featured on The Big Black Comedy Show, Vol. 4 in 2005 alongside Mo'Nique.
Comedy Specials: May recorded multiple highly successful stand-up specials.
Weight Struggles:
Health Battles: At age 16, a devastating car accident left May with 42 broken bones and triggered a lifetime struggle with severe obesity. At his heaviest, he weighed over 800 pounds.
Gastric Bypass: In 2005, following his time on VH1's reality show Celebrity Fit Club, he underwent gastric bypass surgery, which successfully helped him drop 350 pounds.
Born Date: February 17, 1972
Born Place: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Died Date: October 6, 2017
Died Place: Las Vegas, Nevada
Occupations: Stand-up comedian, actor
Brief Biography: Ralphie May was best known for his booming voice, sharp observational humor, and his breakout second-place finish on the inaugural season of NBC's Last Comic Standing in 2003.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
The Kinison Influence: At age 17, May won a radio contest in Arkansas to open for his idol, legendary comedian Sam Kinison. Kinison recognized his raw talent and urged him to move to Houston, Texas, to develop his comedy routine.
Education: He moved to Los Angeles after graduating from Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He integrated Southern roots with hip-hop culture and urban slang, creating a highly unique, wide-appealing comedy style.
Early Acting: Before finding national fame, he made his feature film debut as Otis in the 2002 urban comedy For da Love of Money.
Rise to National Fame:
Last Comic Standing: In 2003, May competed on the first season of NBC's Last Comic Standing. While he narrowly lost the top spot to Dat Phan, the massive exposure transformed him into a household name and an overnight touring headliner.
Crossover Appeal: Known for challenging stereotypes, he was the only white comedian featured on The Big Black Comedy Show, Vol. 4 in 2005 alongside Mo'Nique.
Comedy Specials: May recorded multiple highly successful stand-up specials.
Weight Struggles:
Health Battles: At age 16, a devastating car accident left May with 42 broken bones and triggered a lifetime struggle with severe obesity. At his heaviest, he weighed over 800 pounds.
Gastric Bypass: In 2005, following his time on VH1's reality show Celebrity Fit Club, he underwent gastric bypass surgery, which successfully helped him drop 350 pounds.