COMEDIAN IAN COGNITO DROPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS ACT

2:14 PM 04/12/2019

British comedian Ian Cognito became ill on stage during a comedy performance Thursday evening in England.

The 60-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics arrived, according to CNN. Cognito was performing a stand-up comedy act at the Atic bar in the city of Bicester. Cognito was halfway through his set when he became ill venue owner Ryan Mold said.

“He sat down, put his head and arms back; his shoulders were twitching,” Mold said.

The audience believed the illness was part of his act as the comedian had just mentioned a heart attack or stroke right before Mold said.

“We were called at 22:11 last night to Crown Walk in Bicester to a medical emergency. We sent a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance crew but sadly one patient passed away at the scene,” the ambulance service said in a statement to CNN.