Rising stand-up comedian Ken Flores, who had recently appeared on the Netflix is a Daily Joke podcast and performed at the Netflix Is A Joke stand-up festival, has sadly passed away at the age of 28. His family made the announcement via Instagram, stating, "It is with great sadness we confirm the untimely passing of our friend, brother, and son Kenyi Flores. Please respect our privacy at this time as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss." According to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Flores died on January 28th, 2025, at his home.
TMZ reports indicate the rising comedian suffered cardiac arrest, prompting a friend to call paramedics who performed CPR on Flores until they arrived. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. It has been reported he was dealing with congestive heart failure prior to his passing but was working on improving his health.
The timing of Flores's death is particularly poignant as his comedy career was just beginning to soar. He had kicked off his first national stand-up tour earlier this month and was slated to perform next in Tempe, Arizona. Flores had built his reputation through gigs at venues like LA's Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, and the Hollywood Improv, and his talent was gaining attention across social media and comedy podcasts.
Originally from Chicago, Flores grew up in Humboldt Park before moving to Los Angeles to immerse himself fully in the world of comedy. He had shared how his career accelerated remarkably after his first open mic night. "I’m blessed it was able to go this way, but I had to do it because I had no other option... I just knew I didn’t want to go back to school. I knew I didn’t want to work a regular job. I put my all on this shit, bro," he told Comedy Gazelle.
Flores's friends and fans have taken to social media to express their sorrow and disbelief over his sudden demise. Comedian Neema Naz commented, "What a tragic and devastating loss to the world. Ken was a gem and was going to be a star one day." Fellow comedian Chris D'Elia also paid tribute, stating, "This is terrible. So talented and such a good dude. We will all miss him."
Meanwhile, Rene Vaca, another friend, reminisced about their plans to continue the momentum of Flores's career. He expressed to the Los Angeles Times, "We were gonna break seven figures; we were gonna be millionaires together. It was gonna be special. Hopefully, we can still do it in honor of him and give all the money to his family or something. The timing is so messed up because we just found out about the tour the day before and then this happens."
Flores's comedy drew attention, with routines tackling relatable themes such as dining at Golden Corral and the nuances of moving to Los Angeles. A routine shared online last September went viral, showcasing his potential to captivate audiences far and wide. He had also taped a yet-to-be-released comedy special, signaling the bright future he had brimming with opportunities.
His passing has left not just fans but the entire comedy community feeling the impact of his absence. The Hollywood Improv wrote on social media, "We were honored to share your talent on our stages. You were greatness, and it was only a matter of time until the whole world saw it. You were also kind and a tremendous friend to all lucky enough to know you. We love you Ken, thank you for all the laughs."
Although Ken Flores's time was cut tragically short, his contributions to the comedy scene and the memories he created will not be forgotten. The comedy world remembers him not just for his talent but for the light he brought to those around him.