Richard Jeni Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Comedy Specials, Death, Girlfriend

Richard John Colangelo—known professionally as Richard Jeni—was an American stand-up comedian and actor, renowned for his razor-sharp wit and often frenetic delivery.

He built a career that spanned television, film, and comedy clubs, earning acclaim for his performances in Showtime specials—such as The Boy from New York City—and his recurring role as Charlie Schumaker in Jim Carrey’s The Mask.

He also led the sitcom Platypus Man and made history with more appearances on The Tonight Show than virtually any other comedian.

Profile

• Full Name: Richard John Colangelo
• Stage Name: Richard Jeni
• Born: April 14, 1957
• Age: 49 years old
• Died: 10 March 2007
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Writer
• Height: 1.68 m
• Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Colangelo
• Siblings: Mary Colangelo, Joseph Colangelo
• Girlfriend: Amy Murphy
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not Married
• Net Worth: $600,000

Early Life and Education

Richard John Colangelo was born on April 14, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York. His upbringing was deeply rooted in local culture and family, alongside his siblings Mary and a brother named Joseph Colangelo.

He excelled academically and earned a bachelor’s degree in comparative politics from Hunter College, graduating with honors. After college, he briefly pursued public relations before discovering his aptitude for comedy through open-mic nights in Brooklyn, turning a personal passion into professional ambition.

He is of Italian-American Catholic ethnicity and though his religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Richard Jeni began his professional journey in 1982, diving into the open-mic circuit in New York. His early talents stood out, and by 1988 he had made his debut on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. This milestone led to regular appearances, earning him more spots on the show than almost any other stand-up comedian.

Not long after, Jeni secured his place among the comedy elite through a series of successful Showtime specials, including The Boy from New York City, which won a CableACE award in 1989.

Riding this wave, Jeni’s signature HBO special Platypus Man premiered in 1992, showcasing his unique style and earning further CableACE accolades. That success led to his own sitcom adaptation in 1995. During this period, he also earned a Comedy Central ranking among the 100 greatest stand-ups and appeared in HBO Comedy Hour specials, cementing his reputation as a top-tier comedian.

Jeni expanded his on-screen presence by acting alongside Jim Carrey in The Mask (1994), playing Charlie Schumaker, and guest-starring in films like Bird and An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn. He also contributed as a writer and performer to national ads, earning a Clio Award, and remained active in stand-up clubs and international festivals.

By the mid-2000s, he continued releasing popular specials like A Big Steaming Pile of Me while performing regularly at major venues.

Social Media

Richard Jeni does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Richard Jeni was single at the time of his death in 2007 and was in a relationship with Amy Murphy, a KTTV weather anchor. He remained devoted to his family in Brooklyn, especially his sister Mary, who later managed his comedy estate.

Jeni led a private life outside the stage; he was never married and had no children.

Filmography

• Richard Jeni: The Boy from New York City (Showtime, 1989)
• Richard Jeni: Crazy from the Heat (Showtime, 1992)
• Richard Jeni: Platypus Man (HBO, 1992)
• Platypus Man (UPN sitcom, 1995)
• The Mask (1994) – Charlie Schumaker
• Bird (1988) – Morello
• An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997) – Jerry Glover
• Chasing Robert (2007) – Rich the Bookie (final performance)

Net Worth

Richard Jeni’s net worth, estimated at approximately $600,000 USD, was amassed through his multi-layered career—stand-up specials, television and film roles, and commercial performances. Though not vast, his earnings reflected a sustained presence in entertainment through the ’80s and ’90s.