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Arts & Entertainment

Comedian And 'Everybody Hates Chris' Actor Ricky Harris Dead At 54

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Ricky Harris (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

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Comedian Ricky Harris died on Monday at 54 years old. Harris had survived a heart attack two years prior, his manager told the L.A. Times. Harris grew up in Long Beach and was the son of a preacher. He appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and had roles in several movies and TV shows including Tales from the Hood, Heat and Chris Rock's Everybody Hates Chris. Harris' first film role was in 1993's Poetic Justice. The film starred Janet Jackson as a South Central woman who falls in love with a postal worker (Tupac Shakur) after her boyfriend is killed.

Harris was also a long-time friend and collaborator of rapper Snoop Dogg, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Harris and Snoop Dogg met when singing in church choir together, NBC Los Angeles reports.

Harris both performed on and hosted Def Comedy Jam.

Harris played Snoop Dogg's father in the video for "Gin and Juice."

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Snoop Dogg posted a video about Harris' death, calling him "Long Beach's finest."

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