Your tip
Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail

Tragic Loss: Ralphie May’s Secret Medical Struggles Revealed

Ralphie Mays Dies Secret Medical Issues
Source: Getty Images

Oct. 6 2017, Published 11:09 p.m. ET

RadarOnline CommentsLink to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

Comedian Ralphie May died of cardiac arrest on Friday, but RadarOnline.com uncovered his secret health problems that he struggled with for years.

May, 45, was found in his home in Las Vegas and he reportedly had been battling pneumonia for the last six weeks.

That was just the end of his years-long medical issues.

In 2011 the Last Comic Standing competitor almost passed away after he contracted “two types of pneumonia, and it cause a blood clot to go into my lungs,” he announced. “I was close to death,” he admitted.

Article continues below advertisement

The Clarksville, Ark. native stood at 5-foot-9 and went from 800 pounds to 390, and during a cruise ship that year he fell ill.

“He had walking pneumonia when they left port, but he’d promised to do the cruise and didn’t want to let down his fans,” a close source told The National ENQUIRER at the time. “As the cruise progressed, Ralphie got sicker, despite taking antibiotics.”

Never losing his sense of humor, the funnyman told people that if he died, he was going to punish them – by making them carry his casket. But May’s condition worsened and he was taken to the ship’s infirmary before landing in a Tampa hospital on Halloween, clinging to life.

Tragically, a source in 2011 told The ENQUIRER that Mays could stand up to his medical issues. “Ralphie is a tough guy. He beat pneumonia before and he can beat it again!”

Landing in the ICU that year, Mays fought the illness back, only to succumb to it years later

Hollywood stars Tweeted their remorse at their friend’s death.

Radar Logo

Never Miss an

Exclusive

Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE ON Celebrity

We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at 800-344-9598 any time, day or night.

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.