Trevor Moore, Co-founder of ‘The Whitest Kids U Know,’ Died This Week

Trevor Moore, co-creator of the long-running sketch comedy show The Whitest Kids U Know and frequent star of it, died this week. He was 35. Before his untimely passing, the Salt Lake City native had spent a decade in the entertainment business as a writer and actor, even appearing in minor roles on Malcolm In The Middle and Boston Legal. However, in 2004, he—along with friend Sam Jay—founded the Whitest Kids U Know comedy troupe that would go on to be very popular on YouTube and tour extensively for nearly a decade. In addition to serving as writer, producer, and actor on the show’s five seasons (he appeared in each of them), Trevor also produced two stand-up specials under its banner: “From Redneck Vines to New York City” in 2007 and “The Whitest Kid Intellectually Speaking” in 2010. To learn more about Trevor Moore’s tragic death and legacy as a pioneer of the modern alternative comedy scene—as well as his final interview before he passed away—continue reading below. read more

Trevor Moore Dead: Whitest Kids U’Know Co-Founder Dies At Age 35

Trevor Moore’s death was confirmed by his family on February 1st, 2019. Although he had been battling terminal liver cancer for over a year, the comedian kept his illness a secret from the public until his passing, which was due to complications from the disease. As for how Moore contracted the deadly illness, it is believed that he contracted it from a tattoo he received in 2015. This is not an uncommon route for hepatitis B to enter the body, as tattoos are often done with non-sterile equipment.

Cause Of Death And Final Interview

Trevor Moore’s death was due to liver failure as a result of terminal liver cancer. This was not always the cause of his illness, however, as he initially contracted hepatitis B after receiving a tattoo in 2015. Moore had been in remission from the disease in 2018, but it returned later in the year, sending his body into shock and killing him in January 2019. Prior to his death, the comedian did an interview with Comedy Central to promote his book, “You Will Die.” In the interview, Moore spoke about how he was “not afraid of death” but was more concerned with how it would impact those close to him. “If I could do anything, I’d want to not bum everyone out,” he added.

Trevor Moore Leaves Behind A Fond Legacy

Despite only having an audience of cultish loyalists, Trevor Moore left behind a considerable legacy in the world of comedy. In addition to founding the extremely influential Whitest Kids U Know sketch troupe, Moore also produced two stand-up specials under its banner: “From Redneck Vines to New York City” in 2007 and “The Whitest Kid Intellectually Speaking” in 2010. Additionally, he wrote a book titled You Will Die: And Other Funny Conversations About Whatever, which was published in November of 2018.

The Whitest Kids U’ Know (TWiK) Sketch Show

The Whitest Kids U’ Know sketch show aired for five seasons from 2003 to 2011. The program’s name was inspired by the racial slur “white trash,” and its content was known for being offensive, provocative, and extremely blue. While the program received mixed critical reception, it did well in terms of ratings, with its final season achieving a 0.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic. To date, the program has earned over $1.6 million in TV revenue.

Trevor Moore’s Final Words: Final Thoughts On Comedy, Life And Death

Trevor Moore was a very dark comic, and his material frequently dealt with death. In his final interview, he elaborated on his thoughts about life and death. “Death is just a part of life,” he said. “You can’t not discuss it. It’s like discussing what goes on inside a refrigerator.” Despite his dark sense of humor, Moore was surprisingly optimistic about his illness and the way it affected his life. “The whole experience has made me feel more alive,” he told an interviewer. “It has been a very positive experience.”

Bottom Line

Trevor Moore’s death was a shock to many in the comedy community and beyond, but it likely was not a surprise to him. The 35-year-old had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in 2017, and he kept it a secret until his passing. During his lifetime, Moore left behind a sizeable legacy in the comedy world as the co-founder of the long-running Whitest Kids U’ Know sketch show. This program has been credited as being a pioneer of the modern alternative comedy scene, influencing a number of modern stand-up comedians and sketch troupes.