Comedian and Producer David A. Arnold passed away at 54. Best known for headlining two Netflix comedy specials and was a writer/producer on the “Fuller House” reboot. In addition, he was the creator, executive producer, and showrunner for the Nickelodeon series “That Girl Lay Lay.” Thus, making him one of the few Black showrunners in Hollywood.
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 now, as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss.”
Arnold’s best friend, Chris Spencer, issued a statement. “Our closely knit comedy community mourns the loss of one of the greatest to ever do it. He was admired by his peers, respected by other veterans, and looked up to by the burgeoning comedians he mentored. He will be deeply missed, especially by his comedy fraternity.”
The Legacy of David A. Arnold
Arnold started as a stand-up comic. He performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival and Jamie Foxx’s Laffapalooza on Comedy Central. Furthermore, he wrote for multiple comedy series, including “Meet The Browns,” “The Rickey Smiley Show,” “Raising Whitley,” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.”
At the time of his sudden death, Arnold was three stops into a four-month national comedy tour. Arnold’s first stand-up comedy special on Netflix, David A. Arnold: Fat Ballerina, debuted in 2019. His follow-up comedy special on the streamer, It Ain’t For The Weak, premiered July 19.
“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. On behalf of everyone at Nickelodeon, we send our thoughts and condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans.”
David A. Arnold leaves behind his wife, Julie L. Harkness, and two children, Anna-Grace and Ashlyn. We send our condolences to his family and loved ones.
