Comic Robert Schimmel Dead at 60

Sept. 4, 2010 -- Comedian Robert Schimmel has died in a Phoenix, Ariz., hospital on Friday evening following a car accident last week that left him in critical condition, according to his spokesman.

The 60-year-old actor, author, comedian and frequent guest on "The Howard Stern Show" was a passenger in his 19-year-old daughter Aliyah's car on Interstate Highway 10 in Phoenix on August 26. According to Schimmel's representative, Howard Bragman, she lost control of the car after swerving to avoid another accident. She is in the hospital but reportedly in stable condition. His 11-year-old son was released from the hospital the same day without injury.

Schimmel's dark and often raunchy style of humor landed him several appearances on HBO throughout his career, including his own special, "Unprotected." He suffered a heart attack in 1998, and in 2000 was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Schimmel chronicled his experience in treatment for the disease in a book, "Cancer on $5 a Day* *(chemo not included): How Humor Got Me Through the Toughest Journey of My Life."

Schimmel's brother, comedy writer Jeff Schimmel, confirmed the death on his Facebook page today: "ROBERT SCHIMMEL. Son, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Comedian, Generous Man. I have always loved you, admired you, and was proud to be your biggest fan. I will never forget a single moment. R.I.P."