Beloved NYC Comedy Icon Ray DeJon Dead At 63

BROOKLYN, NY — Ray DeJon, a pioneering figure in New York comedy and beloved Video Music Box host, passed away just shy of his 64th birthday.

DeJon died on Monday at the age of 63—just one day before his 64th birthday, officials said.

In the days leading up to his death, he had been preparing to host a comedy roast at his Brooklyn venue, 275 Park Laffaholics, scheduled for July 16.

Ralph McDaniels, founder and curator of Video Music Box—the long-running program that began showcasing hip-hop artists in 1983—shared news of DeJon’s passing on social media, offering condolences to his family and saying he will be deeply missed.

DeJon’s sister, Evelyn Delacruz, also shared her grief on social media, saying the family is devastated by his loss.

"I’m completely broken. Help me wish my brother Ray DeJon Jr. a Happy birthday in heaven passed 1 day before his birthday. He’s celebrating with my mom in peace on the other side. Our family is completely devastated," Delacruz wrote.

She also asked for privacy during this difficult time and said the family will share details about funeral services when they are finalized.

According to the New York Daily News, DeJon had previously survived a stroke and overcome addiction, experiences he spoke about openly in a 2023 interview with Industry Rules magazine.

"When I had the stroke, I had paralysis on one side and the doctors gave me the drug TPA and it worked immediately. I have regained my left side activity and I started to go to a herbalist to get more products and information on how to treat myself better," DeJon told the outlet.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, DeJon built a hosting career that spanned more than 25 years and thousands of shows, ranging from intimate gatherings of 20 people to large audiences exceeding 5,000. He became a respected figure in New York’s entertainment scene, interviewing prominent celebrities from sports, music, television, and film, including Stevie Wonder, Kevin Hart, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Jamie Foxx and Alicia Keys.

Holding a B.A. in human services and an internationally recognized therapist license, DeJon also dedicated significant time traveling throughout the tri-state area to speak with youth about critical social issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS awareness, and peer pressure, according to his website.

DeJon's cause of death is currently unknown.