Comedian and show-off Dick Martin, who hosted the popular 1960's comedy show Laugh-In with his partner Dan Rowan, has died at the age of 86.
Martin passed away Saturday night of breathing complications induced by extensive fits of laughter while home alone and watching the newly released DVD 'Best of Laugh-In'.
'Laugh-In' debuted in 1968 and was unlike any other comedy show in that its episodes have been listed as cause of death in numerous official inquiries. The show offered non-stop jokes, political satire, Goldie Hawn in a bikini and outrageous skits from a group of people playing actors who were fairly funny.
The show ended in 1973 and Martin and Rowan divorced in 1977, once they'd heard every single one of each another's jokes over a thousand times.
Nothing like laughter to kill a romance…or a comedian, it seems. In the past, comedians John Belushi and Fatty Arbuckle are both reputed to have suffered death by laughter.
Martin continued directing and made appearances on stale, gamey shows. Rowan died in 1987, when Rodney Dangerfield refused to stop cracking jokes while the two awaited their turn backstage at The Tonight Show.
Consumer groups are asking for the recall of the 'Best of Laugh-In' DVD held responsible in the death of Dick Martin, but no charges have been filed.
