Comedian and 'Tonight Show' regular David Brenner dies at 78

[March 17, 2014]  NEW YORK (Reuters) — David Brenner, a stand-up comedian who appeared regularly on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," died on Saturday in New York, a family spokesman said. He was 78.

Brenner, who had been battling cancer and performed most recently on New Year's Eve, passed away at his home in New York surrounded by his family, publicist Jeff Abraham said.

The Pennsylvania native appeared on "The Tonight Show" more than 150 times and was known for poking fun at the commonplace aspects of life.

Brenner said his last wish was that $100 in small bills be placed in his left sock "just in case tipping is recommended where I'm going," according to the publicist.

Abraham said Brenner's final resting spot will carry the epitaph: "If this is supposed to be a joke — then I don't get it!"

(Reporting by Edith Honan; editing by Victoria Cavaliere and Paul Simao)

[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.