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Rodney Dangerfield died at UCLA today after falling into a coma subsequent to undergoing heart surgery.CNN reports, "Dangerfield suffered a small stroke after the operation and developed infectious and abdominal complications. But in the past week he had emerged from the coma, the [Dangerfield's] publicist said.
"Best known for milking a public persona as the chronic underdog, Dangerfield was a late-bloomer who returned to comedy in his forties, after a 20 year break.
"Dangerfield had a strange career in show business," goes the CNN obit, "at 19 he started as a standup comedian. He made only a fair living, traveling a great deal and appearing in rundown joints. Married at 27, he decided he couldn't support a family on his meager earnings.
"He returned to comedy at 42 and began to attract notice. He appeared on the Ed Sullivan show seven times and on 'The Tonight Show' with Johnny Carson more than 70 times.
"After his standout film role in 'Caddyshack,' he began starring in his own movies."
He may never have won much respect, but he will certainly be missed.
