Beloved comedian and actor Alex Duong, known for appearances on Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle and Blue Bloods, has died following a year-long fight with cancer. TMZ has learned.
Close family friend Hilarie Steele, who was by his side at the end, says Alex suffered septic shock Friday night and passed away at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, surrounded by loved ones.
Last year, Alex was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma—a rare, aggressive cancer—after severe headaches behind his eye. A biopsy confirmed the tumor’s extreme aggressiveness, leading to an eye patch and multiple rounds of treatment.
In August, comics including Ronny Chieng and Atsuko Okatsuka rallied for “The Alex Duong Has Cancer In His Eye Comedy Benefit Show” at the Largo in Los Angeles.
Hilarie also launched a GoFundMe to support Alex’s efforts to regain his sight. Donations are now encouraged to help his wife, Cristina, and their 5-year-old daughter, Everest.
Alex was 42. RIP.