Jak Knight, the luminary stand-up humorist, author, and thespian, breathes his last at 28

The polymathic wordsmith contributed to the scripts of acclaimed television series such as ‘Black-ish’ and ‘Big Mouth,’ and recently co-forged and starred alongside Chris Redd, Sam Jay, and Langston Kerman in Peacock’s ‘Bust Down.’

Jak Knight, a luminary in the realms of stand-up comedy, acting, and literature, has departed from this mortal coil. His tenure on Earth concluded on Thursday night in the heart of Los Angeles, as revealed by his family through a spokesperson. The specifics surrounding his demise, including the cause, remain undisclosed at present. The representative solemnly urged the public to respect the family’s privacy during this profound period of grief.

At the juncture of his passing, Knight’s professional trajectory was not merely commendable; it was an ascending star. After contributing his literary prowess to a string of triumphant shows, ranging from Netflix’s lauded ribald comedy ‘Big Mouth’ to ABC’s cherished ‘Black-ish,’ Knight seamlessly transitioned into the realms of co-creation, executive production, and leading role in the freshly-minted Peacock production, ‘Bust Down.’

In tandem with co-creators Chris Redd, Sam Jay, and Langston Kerman, the series unfurls the narrative of a clique of comrades toiling in modest-paying occupations at a casino nestled in Gary, Indiana. ‘Bust Down’ premiered in March, and Knight, in collaboration with Sam Jay, also contributed to the HBO series ‘Pause With Sam Jay’ as an actor, co-executive producer, and wordsmith.

Hailing from Seattle but ensconced in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles, Knight recently concluded filming for Chelsea Peretti’s inaugural directorial venture, ‘First Time Female Director.’ Beyond the realm of screenwriting, he frequently embarked on global tours, presenting his stand-up comedy routine, and his comedic prowess was showcased in a half-hour Netflix special aired in 2018 as part of the ‘Comedy Lineup’ series.

Reflecting on his initial foray into the industry, Knight recounted securing his maiden role as a writer for the animated ‘Lucas Bros. Moving Co.’ at the cusp of his twenties. The inception, as narrated by Knight, involved an introduction facilitated by identical twin brothers and co-creators Keith and Kenneth Lucas. Impressed by Knight’s wit, the Lucas brothers extended an invitation, which Knight accepted with nonchalance, setting the course for his nascent career.

In a 2018 interview with Respect magazine, Knight attributed his comedic calling to the influential figures of Dave Chappelle and the animated series ‘Boondocks.’ According to him, these luminaries were the unequivocal catalysts for his vocation. His journey in comedy included sharing the stage with Chappelle during a tour that featured an array of stand-up acts, including Joel McHale, Eric Andre, Moshe Kasher, and Aziz Ansari.

Within the same interview, Knight delved into the dual role of writing and voicing the character DeVon in ‘Big Mouth.’ He articulated the surreal yet laborious experience of collaborating with luminaries like Jordan Peele and Maya Rudolph, emphasizing the magnitude of effort entailed in the creative process.

The news of his demise reverberated through the comedy community, leaving many in shock and sorrow. A collective statement from the ‘Bust Down’ family, Peacock, and Universal Television lamented the loss of Jak Knight, praising him as a brilliant comedian, visionary, and artist. Comedy Central, which previously hailed Knight as a comic to watch, shared a tribute, describing him as a “hysterically candid comedian” and expressing deep sorrow at his passing. Renowned music producer and artist Flying Lotus, also known as Steven Ellison, remembered Knight as “unapologetically bold and hilarious,” dubbing him a “phenom.” Eddie Della Siepe echoed the sentiment, describing Knight as an “incredible talent” and, more importantly, a “great guy.”