Kevin Bleyer, Emmy-Winning ‘Daily Show’ Writer, Dies at 54 in Car Crash

Kevin Bleyer, the Emmy-winning writer known for his work on The Daily Show, died aged 54 in a car crash on Sunday. His death was announced by his family; his publicist said he was driving on a rural road in Millrift, Pennsylvania, and no one else was hurt. Bleyer’s career spanned comedy, television, books and political speechwriting, as well as projects aimed at supporting civic media abroad.

He joined The Daily Show in 2005 and spent nine years as a staff writer, sharing four writing Emmys with colleagues and earning four further nominations. His other work included writing for Politically Incorrect and two Oscars hosted by Jon Stewart, contributing to President Barack Obama’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner speeches, and co-authoring Earth: The Book. He also helped launch political satire programmes in Central Asia and other countries.