Canadian comedian and host Mike Bullard has died, his family confirmed Sunday.
Bullard’s half-brother, musician Chuck Jackson, confirmed to The Canadian Press that Bullard’s family learned of his death on Friday.
Jackson said the coroner is conducting an investigation and the exact cause of death is unknown at this time, but Bullard, 67, has underlying health issues.
A friend found him in the apartment where he was staying, and the body is being held by authorities, Jackson said.
He said a celebration of life will be held later when the stranger’s family can reunite, but for now the family asks to mourn privately.
A longtime comedian, Bullard hosted two late-night talk shows: Open Mike with Mike Bullardaired from 1997 to 2003 on CTV, and The Mike Bullard Showaired briefly on Global from 2003 to 2004. He won two Gemini Awards for the CTV show.
Mark Breslin, founder and CEO of comedy bar chain Yuk Yuk’s, worked with Bullard and told CBC Toronto on Sunday that he was also a “very good friend” for more than three decades.
Breslin described Bullard as a “fantastic comedian” who particularly excelled in his work as an anchor and host. “Collaborative work was his specialty and he was probably the best in the country,” Breslin said.
Bullard also worked on radio as a host of Beyond the Mic with Mike Bullard between 2010 and 2016 at CFRB in Toronto, but he lost that show after he was accused of making harassing calls to an ex-girlfriend.
In 2018, Bullard pleaded guilty to harassing the victim, journalist Cynthia Mulligan, and violating court orders. He was granted probation.
Breslin said the legal challenges have “collapsed.” [Bullard] into a severe depression from which it took years to recover. »
“He was pretty bitter that a lot of people had left him because of that,” Breslin said.
Bullard traveled to Ukraine in November 2022 to provide humanitarian assistance, raise funds and deliver supplies, often near the front lines. He returned to Canada in February 2023.
Mike Bullard, pioneer of the evening, sits in the red chair with George.
Thinker. Professional social media fanatic. Introvert. Web evangelist. Total pop culture fan.
