The Hip Hop community is sadly reminded that 2016 isn’t officially over losing beloved entertainers. Comedian, actor, and producer Ricky Harris died of a sudden heart attack on Tuesday (December 26), according to Okayplayer and confirmed by his family on social media. He was 54.
Harris is widely known to rap fans for his hilarious cameo appearances as a 1970s gold tooth-capped nightclub owner in Snoop Dogg’s “Doggy Dogg World” video and Snoop’s grey-haired father in “Gin and Juice.” He’s notably remembered for his roles as the faux radio host DJ EZ Dicc and Saul-T-Nuts on WBALLZ radio station for the skits on Snoop’s “Aint No Fun (If The Homies Cant Have None)” and “Tha Shiznit” off his landmark debut Doggystyle and on Tha Dogg Pound’s seminal LP Dogg Food.
The funnyman originated his character on Ice Cube’s “Turn Off The Radio” from his 1990 solo debut album Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.
https://youtu.be/dH34Ny3Wogs
Harris’ other notable appearances on the silver screen were in Poetic Justice, Heat, Dope, and This Christmas. Harris also had TV roles on NYPD Blue, CSI: Miami, Everybody Hates Chris and The People Vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
The comedian began his career at the Comedy Act Theatre in the Crenshaw section of Los Angeles in the late 1980s, where he used to deejay. Comedy legend Robin Harris was the MC of the club, and also gave Ricky his start performing on stage in the same schedule as other 1980s chitlin circuit comics including Robert Townsend, Steve Harvey, Eddie Murphy, Cedric The Entertainer and Sinbad. Ricky is most known for performing on 1990s comedy staples Def Comedy Jam and BET’s Comic View.
https://youtu.be/JxFMjsq4q4U
Left Coast legends such as Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Big Tray Dee, Kurupt and Daz Dillinger of Tha Dogg Pound, and DJ Pooh posted their condolences on Instagram and Twitter upon the sad news of their longtime friend’s passing. Also, Questlove, Chuck D and Kid Capri tweeted their personal memories about Harris, and comedy favorites J.B. Smoove and Cedric The Entertainer spoke on his legacy.
HipHopDX sends our condolences to the Harris family and friends for the loss of the talented comic.
Man! RIP! I would always do those Taadow and DJ Ez Dick intros word for word. I had no idea Ricky was ez dick, I thought it was Theo of KKBT or another cat.
Who? Nobody cares! Matter of fact i’m happy he’s dead.. One ugly negro less
We kno that’s you Lil Yachty
FUCC U BITCH…U AIN’T HIP HOP AND NOBODY ”RESPECC” URE NAME…NOW FUCC OFF…R.I.P RH…1 LUV !!!
Dr dre” straight busta. Never broke a law in his life, besides beating on Ricky Harris wife
RIP Ricky Harris may Allah Bless you
Come on DX !! You couldn’t find a better picture then the Def jam pic ?
I swear to the imaginary god that my only goal in life at this point is to live for the next 4 days and say I made it to 2017…. I could die happy if I defeat 2016.
It’s been a tough year, a little too tough for me too, stay strong brother.
and hes on Games album documentary 2 on the quiks groove that shit is dope!!!!!!
Man Gone too Soon,didn’t know that was Ricky on turn Off the Radio,My favorite joint off of Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.
loved him on Everybody Hates Chris too.Tha 1st time I seen him on Def Comedy Jam,I became A fan @ A early Age R.I.P Malvo
Dude was an underrated comi who never got the shine he deserved. He was the only one of those hosts that halfway approached Martin Lawrence as host of Def Comedy Jam after he left the show. This year is fucked up for real with the celebrity deaths. Interesting tidbit, he was married to the Dee Barnes of Dr. Dre ass beating fame from back in the day. RIP homie.
Learned he was on cypress hill III album intro to throw your set in the air .
Funny dude … Rip
Rest in power malvo from everybody hate chris