David A. Arnold, Comedian Of Netflix Specials, Dies At 54

David A. Arnold, comedian, and Netflix star, has died aged 54, his family has announced, reported USA Today.

The Arnold family issued a statement confirming the death. “It is with great sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our husband, father, brother, and friend, David A. Arnold. David passed away peacefully today in his home and doctors have ruled the cause of death due to natural causes. Please keep our family in prayer and respect our privacy at this time, as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss,” the statement read.

Arnold's death came as a surprise to the industry. He was affiliated with Kevin Hart, who produced Arnold’s second Netflix standup special, It Ain’t for the Weak, which debuted in July. Comedian Chris Spencer, a close friend of Arnold, said the comedy community “mourns the loss of one of the greatest to ever do it.” Spencer added that Arnold, a native of Cleveland, was “admired by his peers, respected by other veterans, and revered by the burgeoning comedians that he mentored. He will be deeply missed, especially by his comedy fraternity.”

He had posted a video of one of his comedy sketches on Instagram just hours before his family announced his death. Arnold wrote: 'I'll never forget the day my oldest decided between my wife and me who she was gonna send to the nursing home." It prompted heartbroken comments from friends and supporters underneath. 

Arnold was a stand-up comedian who gained appeal through his perspective on fatherhood. He headlined two Netflix comedy specials, Fat Ballerina in 2019, and the Kevin Hart-produced It Ain’t for the Weak, which debuted in July. He was also featured in the Netflix is a Joke comedy festival in late April. Apart from having served as the writer and producer of Netflix's Fuller House, Arnold was the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Nickelodeon’s live-action comedy That Girl Lay Lay, about an avatar that comes to life to help a teenage girl and her friends navigate their lives. The series, produced through Will Packer Media, premiered in September 2021 and was renewed for Season 2 in January.

"We are shocked and incredibly saddened by the sudden passing of our dear friend and creative partner, David A. Arnold,” Nickelodeon said in a statement. “David was an immense talent and a gifted storyteller with a wide range of fans, from adults through his stand-up, to kids and families through the Nickelodeon show he created and executive produced for us, That Girl Lay Lay.”

At the time of his sudden death, Arnold was three stops into a four-month national comedy tour.