The local comedy/improv community is mourning the death of one of its well-loved players. Taylor Negron was a funny man who distinguished himself in roles large and small. He was in movies including Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Stuart Little, The Last Boy Scout, Angels in the Outfield and Better Off Dead. He was in TV shows including Friends, Seinfeld, ER, Hope & Gloria and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He was one of those "money-in-the-bank" performers who was hired by folks who knew he'd always come through for them…and he always did.
I first became aware of him in local improv groups and comedy clubs. It seemed like every time someone was assembling a troupe or casting a funny play, they tried to get Taylor Negron — for the same reason he got hired so often for TV and movie roles. I didn't know him well but the few times I was around him, he seemed like the kind of person everyone wants to be around. He just died of cancer at the age of 57 and an awful lot of funny people are very, very saddened by the news.