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Former SNL Writer Dies From Apparent Suicide, Leaves Heartbreaking Note
By
Jen Carlson
Published Dec 27, 2011
Modified Dec 27, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Dec 27, 2011
Modified Dec 27, 2011
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Former Saturday Night Live writer and Kids in the Hall producer, 63-year-old Joe Bodolai, died in a Los Angeles hotel room sometime over the last couple of days, and police believe the death was a suicide. According to TMZ, Bodolai—who co-wrote the Wayne's World movie—had been staying at the hotel for over a week, and cleaning crews discovered his body yesterday. The site learned that police found a bottle of antifreeze and Gatorade in his room.
He also appears to have posted a suicide note on his blog, titled, "If This Was Your Last Day Alive What Would You Do?" The post includes a list of things he regrets ("my inability to conquer my alcoholism"), things he would have liked to have seen happen in his life ("living in Paris or New York again"), predictions for 2012 ("sales of Mayan Calendars up for 2012, drop for 2013"), and the things he is proud of (his time at SNL and "writing the first draft of Wayne’s World with Mike Myers"). At 3 a.m. on December 24th, he Tweeted a link to the post, adding, "Godbye." He then Tweeted a link to this video, and lastly, at 3:53 a.m., he wrote: "When people tell you to "dream" to make my life better I'd say 99.9% of them have never been beaten and robbed."
He ended his note: "I don’t need replies or comments or anything. I need to feel the good that I did and whatever good I have ever done for you is enough for me. May you all have the happy lives you deserve. Thank you all for being in my life. Love, Joe."
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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