Out of the roughly 900 people that have appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, it’s only natural that a few guests have since passed away. A total of 11 former JRE guests are deceased with four dying in 2018 alone. The most common causes of death are cancer and suicide. Rest in peace to those JRE guests that are no longer with us. Their voices live on.
John McAfee
The most recent death among former JRE guests was John McAfee, the creator of McAfee antivirus software. He died in a Barcelona jail cell on June 23, 2021 due to suicide. He was 75 years old.
John McAfee appeared on JRE #290 in 2012. The interview was conducted over the phone while McAfee was on the run from the police in Belize.
John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was a stand-up comedian and actor. He was best known for playing Ice Cube’s father in the Friday movies. Witherspoon died on October 29, 2019 due to cardiac arrest. He was 77 years old.
John Witherspoon appeared on JRE #1305 with his son JD in 2019.
Brody Stevens
Stand-up comedian and actor Brody Stevens was a staple at The Comedy Store and known for his roles in the movies The Hangover, The Hangover II and Due Date. He died on February 22, 2019 due to suicide. He was 48 years old. Rogan has remembered Brody a number times on the podcast including JRE #1252 with Dave Foley & Paul Greenberg, JRE #1304 with Brendan Schaub and JRE #1307 with Greg Fitzsimmons.
Brody Stevens was a guest on JRE #198 in 2012 as well as JRE #424 in 2013 which brought us the hilarious clip where he explains that he is 10% gay.
Jason Hairston
Jason Hairston was a former NFL player and entrepreneur. He founded the hunting gear company Sitka which he sold before becoming the founder and CEO of another hunting gear company called Kuiu. Hairston died on September 4, 2018 due to suicide. He was 47 years old and suffered from CTE.
Jason Hairston appeared on JRE #817 with Brendan Burns in 2016.
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain was a chef, author and television personality who is best known for hosting the travel/food TV series No Reservations and Parts Unknown, and for his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential. Joe Rogan appeared on the Montana episode of Parts Unknown (S07E04) and considered Bourdain a friend. Bourdain died in France on June 8, 2018 due to suicide. He was 61 years old. Rogan has addressed Bourdain’s passing many times on the podcast including just a few days after his death on JRE #1129 with Tom Papa and on JRE #1176 with Morgan Fallon who worked on all of Bourdain’s TV shows.
Anthony Bourdain appeared on JRE #138 in 2011.
Barry Crimmins
Barry Crimmins was a stand-up comedian, activist, political satirist and writer. He also founded two comedy clubs in Boston: Stitches and The Ding Ho. Crimmins died on February 28, 2018 due to cancer. He was 64 years old.
Barry Crimmins appeared on JRE #679 with Bobcat Goldthwait in 2015. They were promoting Call Me Lucky, a documentary that Goldthwait directed about Crimmins’ life.
John Anthony West
John Anthony West was an author, writer, rogue Egyptologist, tour guide and Emmy Award winner. He is best known for his documentary series Magical Egypt and as a proponent of the Sphinx water erosion hypothesis. West died on February 6, 2018 due to cancer. He was 85 years old. Joe Rogan discussed West’s passing on the podcast a few days after his death at the very beginning of JRE #1075 with Duncan Trussell. Rogan said that John Anthony West was one of his favorite people ever to have on the podcast.
Rogan doesn’t do Skype interviews but made an exception for John Anthony West’s first appearance on JRE #226 in 2012. West appeared in-studio on JRE #852 in 2016.
Ralphie May
Ralphie May was a stand-up comedian. He died on October 6, 2017 due to cardiac arrest at 45 years of age. He suffered from high blood pressure and heart disease. Joe Rogan and Brian Redban reminisced about Ralphie May on JRE #1026. May was close friends with Joey Diaz and Bert Kreischer.
Ralphie May was one of the earliest guests on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast appearing on JRE #59 in 2010.
Charlie Murphy
Charlie Murphy was a stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He is best known for his work on Chappelle’s Show and as Eddie Murphy’s older brother. Murphy died on April 12, 2017 due to leukemia. He was 57 years old. Joe Rogan paid tribute to Charlie several times on the podcast including JRE #1036 with Ari Shaffir, Bert Kreischer & Tom Segura and JRE #1249 with Donnell Rawlings.
Charlie Murphy appeared on JRE #133 in 2011 where he told a crazy story about Mike Tyson’s lion.
Michael Ruppert
Rest in peace, Michael Ruppert. It was an honor calling you a friend. http://t.co/SQMpfhX6Bc
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) April 15, 2014
Michael Ruppert was a former LAPD officer, author, writer and activist. He was known for this famous video where Ruppert confronts the CIA director at a town hall meeting about the CIA’s involvement in drug dealing. He was featured in several documentaries including Collapse which was based on his book A Presidential Energy Policy. Ruppert died on April 13, 2014 due to suicide. He was 63 years old.
Michael Ruppert appeared on JRE #170 in 2011 and on JRE #217 in 2012.
Philip Coppens
I just got horrible news that @philipcoppens has passed away. Met him when he did my podcast, he was a sweet and intelligent man. RIP
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) December 30, 2012
Philip Coppens was a Belgian author, writer, radio host and commentator. He is best known for his numerous appearances on the TV series Ancient Aliens. Coppens died on December 30, 2012 due to cancer. He was 41 years old.
Philip Coppens appeared on JRE #280 in 2012.
