Canadian comedian Candy Palmater has died at the age of 53, her partner and manager confirmed to CBC News on Saturday.
Denise Tompkins said Palmater died peacefully at his home in Toronto and a virtual public service would be held in the near future for fans and friends.
The cause of his death was not immediately known. According to social media posts, he has been sick for a few weeks and was recently discharged from the hospital.
Palmater, a member of the Eel River Bar Mi’kmaw Nation in New Brunswick, is known for her bold feminist humor and leading her own radio and television shows.
He creates and hosts award-winning shows Candy Show at APTN, was a regular co-host on the CTV afternoon talk show Social and acted in various shows, including Park Boys Trailer.
Posted by Denise.
I have a few words. Candy died today at home suddenly.
I will post the information soon.
Denise https://t.co/zXLOqxpGJD
Today our entire team mourns the passing of our best friend, Candy Palmater, who has always made us smile wider, laugh harder, and think more critically about the world around us. We think of his loved ones today. He will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/5IRDZwFLet
Palmater has also been a frequent CBC personality, including hosting Palmater Candy Show on CBC Radio One, telling the CBC-TV series True Northern Call and was a panelist on CBC Canada Reads in 2017.
“Candy is an extraordinary talent but also a truly special person,” said CBC News general manager Susan Marjetti. “What a loss. Another light has been extinguished in the world today.”
Palmater once described himself as “a gay, genuine, recovered-lawyer-turned-comic-feminist raised by bikers in the wilds of northern New Brunswick.”
He lived in Halifax for nearly three decades, during which he studied law, worked as a barrister and for the Nova Scotia government.
Recently, Palmater has just finished writing an autobiography that will be published in the new year.
“Coffee aficionado nerd. Troublemaker. General communicator. Gamer. Analyst. Creator. Total brew ninja.”