Sheen tweeted today:

The remainder of that message came to his site which read:
The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man today.
Patrice had that rare “light” around him and inside of him.
I only knew him for the few days leading up the Roast.
Yet I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent.
my tears today are for the tremendous loss to his true friends and loving family.”

O’Neal, who appeared on Comedy Central celebrity roasts and on Conan O’Brien’s and David Letterman’s late night TV shows, was also a frequent guest on the “Opie & Anthony” radio show on Sirius XM (via Reuters).

Comedy Central released the following story just moments after O’Neal passed:

After suffering a stroke last month, the great Patrice O’Neal has passed away. This is extremely devastating news. Patrice was one of the best comics working today. With a biting wit that sliced through pretenses, he broached taboo topics like few others could. Anyone who saw his recent special Elephant in the Room or his performance at the Roast of Charlie Sheen could see plainly that he was an artist at the top of his game. More than that though, Patrice was one of the most beloved and respected comedians among his peers.

Patrice will truly be missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones in this very sad time.