Greg Giraldo; comedian known for rants, roasts

Mr. Giraldo died at a hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., after being hospitalized days earlier. Police Lieutenant J.T. Miller said officers found Mr. Giraldo in his room at the Hyatt New Brunswick last Saturday night.

The Home News Tribune of East Brunswick reported that Mr. Giraldo suffered a drug overdose.

On Wednesday’s “Daily Show,’’ Jon Stewart paid tribute to Mr. Giraldo.

“The comedy world lost a good man and a great comic,’’ Stewart said. “He was always a font of warmth and good humor and just smart-as-hell comedy.’’

Born in New York, Mr. Giraldo initially pursued a career in law, earning a bachelor’s degree from Columbia and a law degree from Harvard. But he abandoned that path for stand-up, toiling in comedy clubs and on television.

In one stand-up bit, one of his most popular on YouTube, he questioned opponents of same-sex marriage: “George Bush says two gay people getting married would violate the sanctity of marriage. The sanctity of marriage? Is anyone here married? Does it feel like a gift from God to you?’’

He starred in the ABC sitcom “Common Law,’’ in which he fittingly played a lawyer, but the show was canceled after four episodes.

He was a frequent guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman,’’ “Late Night with Conan O’Brien’’ and “The Howard Stern Show.’’ He often appeared on Comedy Central’s roast series. His last appearance on the network was the “Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff’’ in August.

Mr. Giraldo’s website referred visitors to his Facebook page, where fans left condolences.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan wrote “Goodbye Greg. I love you,’’ adding a lament for addiction. Comedian Aziz Ansari called Mr. Giraldo “one of the most respected comic I can think of’’ and said, “The world has lost a hysterical man.’’