Comedian Barry Crimmins has died. He was 64 and in January revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

As a young comic Crimmins founded his own comedy club in Boston and fostered the careers of talent including Steven Wright, Paula Poundstone, Denis Leary, Kevin Meaney and Bobcat Goldthwait. He brought the personal into his political act with the onstage revelation that he had been absued as a child. In the ensuing years he became a renowned activist on behalf of children’s rights, campaigning vociferously against child pornography. He received the Peace Leadership Award presented to him by Noam Chomsky. 

His story was told in the 2015 film Call Me Lucky, directed by Bobcat Goldthwait.

Last year there was a major benefit gig in London featuring Billy Bragg, Robin Ince, Daniel Kitson, Mark Thomas and more, to raise money for Crimmins' wife Helen, was was being treated for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in America. Using her husband's Twitter account Helen Crimmins tweeted this morning: "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."

The comedy world was quick to pay tribute. Judd Apatow tweeted: "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."

Judah Friedlander tweeted: "barry was great in many ways. this is sad news. lets celebrate barry's life and work. my condolences to you. sending love your way."

Robin Ince tweeted: "This is very sad news. Barry was an inspiring man. If you do not know his work, watch Call Me Lucky, he is a human worthy of celebration." Robin Ince has also written this obituary on his own blog.

John Hodgman wrote: "If there is peace somewhere, I hope @crimmins rests in it. But it hurts that he was outlived by this brief moment of garbage time. Because of his life, and now because he is gone, we know that the job is to fight harder. No rest for us."

Reginald D Hunter tweeted: "Barry Crimmins has left us. Comedians bow your heads. The great one has passed through here"

Alex Edelman wrote: "Barry Crimmins started comedy in Boston. Without him, I'd be a waiter or an office puke. I was doing shows at @ZaniesChicago I ran into him and Helen and begged him to come down and do a set or hang after a late show. He did. Fuck. I'm so upset."

Hari Kondabolu tweeted: "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."

Here is an interview he did with BTJ in 2016. And you can watch Robin Ince's short film about the benefit gig for Helen Crimmins below.