Well-known stand-up comedian and actor David A. Arnold died on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at age 54.
He headlined two successful Netflix comedy specials: “Fat Ballerina” debuted in 2019, and the Kevin Hart produced “It Ain’t for the Weak” premiered in July 2022. He was a writer/producer on Netflix’s “Fuller House” reboot. He created with executive producer Will Packer the Nickelodeon series “That Girl Lay Lay.” It was the top 10 most-streamed show when it began streaming on Netflix in January 2022.
Arnold was on the third leg of his four-month national comedy tour “Pace Ya Self” at the time of his sudden death. His family issued a statement, explaining, “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 at this time, as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss.”
He wrote for several comedy series, including Meet The Browns (TBS), Raising Whitley (OWN) and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (TBS). Nickelodeon called David “an immense talent and a gifted storyteller” in a statement.
He leaves behind his wife, Julie L. Harkness, and two children, Anna-Grace and Ashlyn, his mother, and sisters.
So sorry. He was not an older person. No day is promised to anyone.