Comic Ken Flores, a rising expertise within the Los Angeles stand-up comedy scene, died on Tuesday, in line with his supervisor, Cameron Silzle. His physique was found at his dwelling Tuesday afternoon round 2 p.m. No reason for demise was instantly accessible. He was 28.
Initially from Chicago, Flores rapidly grew to become a beloved determine in L.A. stand-up, the place he discovered a second dwelling among the many metropolis’s varied comedy golf equipment together with Hollywood‘s Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, The Haha and Hollywood Improv. He also toured and befriended seasoned stand-up veterans like Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy, and Felipe Esparza. Flores was also a vital piece in the next wave of standout Latin comedians and was scheduled to embark on a national tour with comedy stars Ralph Barbosa and close friend Rene Vaca.
Vaca, who is a regular headliner at Hollywood’s Snort Manufacturing facility for his month-to-month present Leg Day, remains to be scheduled to go on Wednesday evening at 10 p.m. in honor of Flores.
In a press release to The Instances, Iglesias stated, “I feel honored to have spent time with Ken. Of course he was hilarious but above all he was kind, respectful and fun to be around. He will be missed.”
Flores acting on the Lab stage on the Hollywood Improv.
(Daniel Casas)
Esparza, one other longtime mentor of Flores, informed The Instances he’ll at all times bear in mind him as his “big little brother with an infectious laugh and presence.”
Barbosa, who grew nearer with him not too long ago previous to their scheduled tour collectively, informed The Instances, “Ken was funny as hell, he was real as hell, he was never fake with anybody just to get a step ahead. Anything he accomplished he did through merit and hard work. … I admired him a lot and I admired his comedy.”
Large in stature and even greater in persona, Flores had a particular method of connecting with folks — his crowd work was unparalleled, but it surely was his authenticity, humor and uncooked honesty that really resonated with audiences in every single place. His relatable materials drew folks in.
Simply days earlier than his passing, Flores shared on X about finishing his tour reveals alcohol-free, expressing pleasure and hope for upcoming performances. “So I started my tour a couple weeks ago and I’m proud to say I’ve done every single show, 5 in Portland 1 in Albuquerque and 4 in Atlanta without a single drop of alcohol,” Flores wrote. “Nervous for Phoenix next weekend but I think I got it. I’m not sober just wanna chill a bit.”
In December, Flores filmed his first comedy particular which has not but been launched. The comic was at the moment within the midst of a tour that started in Portland, Ore., on Jan. 10 and was scheduled to conclude in San Diego, Calif., on April 19.
“There is so much of Ken Flores that the world didn’t get to see, he was more than a stand-up comedian, he was one of the greatest human beings in the world,” Vaca stated. “I always said he was my favorite comedian, and we always called him God’s favorite comedian. … He’s changed me as a comedian and he changed the world. He’s the best, he’s the goat.”
Author Ali Lerman contributed to this report.