what happened to ralphie may

Ralphie May, the stand-up comedian known from “Last Comic Standing,” died in Las Vegas on October 6, 2017, at the age of 45.

What Happened to Ralphie May?

Quick Scoop

Ralphie May passed away from natural causes related to heart disease. Specifically, the Clark County Coroner in Nevada reported that he died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a condition linked to long-term high blood pressure and strain on the heart.

In the weeks leading up to his death, he had been battling pneumonia and had canceled several shows while trying to recover, but the official determination was that his underlying heart disease caused his death.

Key Details

• Date of death: October 6, 2017.

• Age: 45 years old.

• Place: Private residence in Las Vegas, Nevada.

• Official cause: Hypertensive cardiovascular disease (natural causes).

• Recent health issues: Pneumonia and canceled tour dates shortly before his death.

He was still actively touring and had a residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas at the time, with more shows scheduled around the U.S.

A Bit of Background

Ralphie May first broke out nationally after finishing second on “Last Comic Standing” in 2003, which led to specials, TV appearances, and a long stand-up career. He was known for his larger-than-life stage presence, often talking openly and humorously about weight, health, and social issues.

He grew up in the South (born in Tennessee and raised in Arkansas) and frequently used his background as material in his routines. He left behind his wife, Lahna Turner, and their two children.

Why People Still Ask “What Happened?”

Even years later, “what happened to Ralphie May” remains a trending question because:

1. He died relatively young (mid‑40s), which surprises many fans discovering his older specials today.

2. Clips of his stand-up continue to circulate on social media and streaming platforms, introducing him to new audiences who then go looking for the latest news about him.

3. His long-running discussions of weight and health in his comedy make people curious how those issues intersected with his passing.

Online discussions and forum threads usually center on his legacy as a comic, how hard he worked on the road, and the role that long-term health issues and lifestyle may have played, though the only confirmed medical cause is the heart disease reported by the coroner.

Simple TL;DR

Ralphie May died on October 6, 2017, in Las Vegas at 45 years old, from hypertensive cardiovascular disease (natural causes), after recently struggling with pneumonia while still actively touring as a comedian.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.