Steve Bridges, a TikTok comedian known for his popular point-of-view sketches about everyday life, has died at age 41.
Bridges’ wife, Chelsey, announced his death on Friday in a video posted to his Instagram account, saying he passed away “peacefully in his sleep” on Oct. 15.
The Peoria, Ill., Police Department confirmed to TMZ that officers responded to a report of a natural death at a private residence on Wednesday.
“Who you saw online was just the characters that he created,” Chelsey said in the video.
“He was the most attentive father, and the best husband,” she said, adding that he was also “the greatest, sweetest man.”
“And thanks to you internet, he’s been able to live his dream of making people laugh.”
“I am so thankful that he got to do that.”
Bridges gained more than 2 million followers across TikTok and Instagram with comedic sketches portraying exaggerated versions of common personalities, including solar panel salesmen, “deadbeat boyfriends” and kids at public pools.
His wife often appeared alongside him in the videos.
Chelsey said her husband had been focused on fitness and diet after several of his relatives died young, including his father, grandfather and grandmother.
His grandmother died in her sleep at 52, and both his father and grandfather in their 40s.
“I’m not going to tell my children that they can’t grieve online,” Chelsey said.
“I will probably grieve online too. This is life now. Please never take it for granted and try to live your dreams every day. Love your family and take care of yourself.”
The couple had been married for 16 years and shared three children — a 14-year-old daughter and 10-year-old twin sons.
Friend and filmmaker Eric Mathis called Bridges “an incredible talent beloved by millions,” adding that “he was so kind, so genuine, so passionate about his art.”
A GoFundMe campaign launched by friends to support the Bridges family had raised more than $36,000 as of Friday evening.
Funeral arrangements are private, Chelsey said.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
