O'Neal was born in New York in 1969, but moved to Boston when he was
just 1 year old. He was educated at West Roxbury High School and went
on to attend Northeastern University, both in Boston. After this,
various jobs followed including a sausage cart vendor at a train
station, flower seller and popcorn seller at the Boston Garden Arena.
In October 1992, O'Neal attended an open microphone comedy night. He
heckled one of the comedians, who challenged O'Neal to perform himself
at the next open mic night. He did just that and so began his comedy
career. Over the next 6 years, O'Neal became a fixture on the Boston
comedy circuit. He then relocated to New York, becoming a regular at
Manhattan's Comedy Cellar. After this, O'Neal moved to Los Angeles and
radio, television and film projects followed.
He appeared in various shows, both in acting roles and as himself. In
2005, he taped his own episode of
One Night Stand (2005) and in
2011 he had his own Comedy Central special, 'Patrice O'Neal: Elephant
in the Room'. As well as on-screen projects, O'Neal worked on radio and
continued as a stand-up in clubs and theaters.
O'Neal's final screen appearance was in September 2011 when he took
part in the
Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen (2011).
On November 29, 2011, O'Neal, who suffered from diabetes, passed away,
following complications from a stroke. He was 41 years old.
