Canadian slapstick comedian and former discuss present host Mike Bullard has died.
The 67-year-old Etobicoke native’s dying was confirmed to CTV on Sunday afternoon by his household in addition to long-time good friend and Yuk Yuk’s co-founder, Mark Breslin.
Breslin informed CTV Information on Sunday afternoon that Bullard was discovered deceased in his condo.
His reason for his dying will not be instantly recognized, Bullard’s half-brother, musician Chuck Jackson, informed The Canadian Press. He mentioned that the coroner is anticipated to substantiate a reason for dying later this week, including that Bullard had some well being issues.
Bullard’s household discovered of his passing on Friday, Jackson mentioned.
Breslin mentioned that he met Bullard greater than three many years in the past after working together with his youthful brother Pat, who can be a TV host and slapstick comedian.
He remembered in these early days how Bullard requested him to provide him as many emcee spots at Yuk Yuk’s as he may, telling him that he believed if he may work on his emceeing that may “put him in line to presumably do a chat present.”
“And it occurred precisely as he mentioned it could,” Breslin mentioned.
Bullard went on to host two late-night discuss reveals: “Open Mike with Mike Bullard’ on CTV from 1997 to 2003, for which he gained two Gemini awards, and ‘The Mike Bullard Present’ on International from 2003 to 2004.
He then hosted Past the Mic with Mike Bullard on NewsTalk 1010 however left this system within the fall of 2016 after being charged with prison harassment and obstruction of justice for allegedly stalking a former girlfriend.
In June 2018, Bullard pleaded responsible to a cost of harassing communications to the sufferer in addition to breaching courtroom orders. He was given a conditional discharge that included six months probation in addition to attendance in a home violence program.
Mike Bullard is proven in a handout photograph.. (CP PICTURE ARCHIVE)
Breslin mentioned Bullard shall be remembered for having the longest-running discuss present of anyone in Canada ever and for his professionalism.
“One way or the other Mike simply had that mixture of abilities that made it potential for that present to run, I believe seven years, perhaps eight. That’s remarkable,” he mentioned.
“He was actually probably the greatest stand-up comics on this nation ever, particularly when it got here to crowd work and emceeing, and it’s unhappy that there are such a lot of youthful folks within the nation who don’t actually know a lot about him.”
In 2022, Bullard travelled to Ukraine for 4 months to volunteer with various humanitarian teams following Russia’s invasion of the nation.
Breslin mentioned he initially didn’t imagine that Bullard was telling him the reality about going to the japanese European nation, saying initially he thought he was joking about it.
“There was an idealistic facet to Mike Bullard that lots of people didn’t actually see on the floor as a result of he’s a gruff man, however he’s bought a coronary heart of gold. He was an actual sweetheart,” he mentioned, including that Bullard was type to different comics and all the time tried to assist them with their act .
“He was additionally a populist, and I imply that in one of the best ways.”
Breslin added that Bullard took the time to talk with individuals who approached him on the road and was somebody who “was in tune with blue-collar values.”
“I might say that he was one of the best comedian in Canada to do crowd work. … that means speaking to any person, they reply, then you definately noticed one thing withering. They’d get a withering put down from him,” he smiled, including Bullard was the one he appeared to when he wanted “actual kick-ass emcee” if he had a membership opening.
“Mike was completely the easiest within the nation at that.”
Thus far, no funeral preparations have been made for Bullard, nonetheless a celebration of life shall be held when household from overseas are in a position to collect. For now, Bullard’s household is asking to grieve in personal.
With recordsdata from CTV Information’ Luca Caruso-Moro and The Canadian Press
