Kevin Bleyer died on October 25 in Pennsylvania at age 54.
Bleyer died in a car accident on a rural road in Millrift, PA, where he had a home. He mainly lived in New York for the last 20 years.
His family announced his death. Nella Vera, Bleyer’s wife, said in a statement, “Kevin spent his life finding the perfect words to make people laugh, think, and see the world a little differently. I was lucky enough to know the humor, curiosity, mischief, and tenderness behind those words—and to be loved by a man who made my own world more joyful, more adventurous, and infinitely more beautiful.”
During his career, Bleyer earned both an Emmy and a Peabody Award. His biggest television writing credits included The Daily Show and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. He also worked as a speechwriter for many politicians, including President Barack Obama, and wrote all of Obama’s addresses to the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Besides Obama, Bleyer wrote for many senators, diplomats, U.S. ambassadors, NASA astronauts, and Shakira. He also served as Deputy Chief Speechwriter for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Bleyer was an author, television writer, speechwriter, columnist, and recurring voice on The Onion Radio News. Deadline reported that he was working on an HBO pilot before his death.
Bleyer started in TV as a writer for Politically Incorrect. He remained on the show until it was canceled. He also wrote for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart until 2013, and later moved on to other projects.
Friends of Bleyer remembered him fondly. Per Deadline, MS Now, formerly known as MSNBC, anchor Lawrence O’Donnell wrote, “Kevin was a generous friend who always brought the gift of laughter.”
Close friend and fellow writer Danny Strong said, “Kevin could literally do it all. His immense talent was only outmatched by his kind soul. I am in complete shock that he is gone, and my sadness is overwhelming. I already miss him dearly.”
Producer Llewellyn Wells recalled, “Whether developing a series pitch or sitting around sharing stories, Kevin brought the wit, the funny, the satire. But underneath that rare talent lived a man with depth, love and a sincere desire to leave the world a better place than he found it.” He continued, “He left the world a better place than he found it. The heavens are shining brighter today; the earth lost an angel.”
Bleyer is survived by his wife, Vera, his father, Dr. Archie Bleyer, and his brother, Keith Bleyer.
