Kevin Bleyer, the four-time Emmy-winning writer and producer whose work helped shape *The Daily Show with Jon Stewart*, died Sunday in a car crash. He was 57. His wife, Nella Vera, announced his death in a post on his Facebook page.
Bleyer joined The Daily Show ’s writing staff in 2005 and spent eight years with the program, contributing to more than 1,000 episodes and specials. Along with four Emmy Awards, he received a Writers Guild Award for his work. He also helped write the show’s material for the 2006 and 2008 Academy Awards, both hosted by Stewart.
Before joining the Comedy Central series, Bleyer built a career in political comedy and journalism. He contributed commentary and reporting to NPR’s *All Things Considered* and American Public Media’s *Marketplace*, then worked as a writer and producer on *Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher* and Dennis Miller’s CNBC program.
His writing reached beyond television. Bleyer contributed to several speeches by President Barack Obama, including the humorous remarks delivered at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
He also helped bring political satire to international audiences. In 2013, he traveled to Kyrgyzstan as a USAID consultant, working with local writers and performers to develop *Studio 7*, a topical comedy program adapted to the country’s politics and culture. He later consulted, wrote and trained staff for Nigeria’s *The Other News*, which debuted on Channels TV in 2017 as the country’s first prime-time political satire program.
Bleyer was the author of *Me the People: One Man’s Selfless Quest to Rewrite the Constitution of the United States of America* and co-wrote the bestseller *Earth: The Book* with Stewart and *The Daily Show* team. He also co-wrote *How to Sweet-Talk a Shark* with former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. His other television credits included *Sleepy Hollow* and *The Right Stuff*.
Raised in Washington state, Bleyer studied communications and computer engineering at Stanford University, graduating with a communications degree in 1994. An early internship at New York’s Public Theater brought him into contact with artists including Anna Deavere Smith and Tony Kushner.
Vera said Bleyer is also survived by his father, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew. A private gathering is planned, followed by a larger celebration of life. She suggested donations in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association New York City Chapter, where he volunteered, or the ASPCA.
