Kevin Bleyer, an Emmy-winning writer for The Daily Show and former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, died Oct. 25, 2026, in a car crash in Millrift, Pennsylvania.
Bleyer, 54, was driving on a rural road near his home at the time of the accident, according to family and publicist statements. No other people were injured. His family confirmed the death via Facebook on Oct. 27.
A Maryland native who lived in New York City for two decades, Bleyer spent his career writing presidential rhetoric, scripted television, and political satire.
Bleyer Wins Emmys at The Daily Show
Bleyer earned four Emmy Awards and eight nominations during a nine-year tenure as a staff writer for The Daily Show. He also won a Peabody in 2015 and a WGA award in 2010.
He entered the late-night circuit in 2000, writing for Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect
until ABC canceled the program in 2002. Bleyer later wrote for Dennis Miller’s CNBC political talk show during its 2004-05 season before joining Jon Stewart at Comedy Central in 2005.
While Stewart served as host, Bleyer wrote for the Oscars in 2006 and 2008.
Bleyer’s other credits include roles as a supervising producer for MSNBC’s Ronan Farrow Daily
and a writer-producer for NBC’s Today show. He wrote a weekly column for The Daily Beast and provided recurring voice work for The Onion Radio News.
Kevin Bleyer, Emmy-winning 'Daily Show' writer, dies after car crash https://t.co/jZsPPM10Lu
Former Speechwriter Produced Satire News in Central Asia
Bleyer wrote addresses for President Obama at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinners. Between 2014 and 2021, he served as the deputy chief speechwriter for former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
In 2013, Bleyer lived in Kyrgyzstan to executive produce “Studio 7,” the first political satire news show in Central Asia. He also co-founded Pilot Media Initiatives to start civics-minded media programs in Estonia, Jordan, Kenya, and Nigeria.
Bleyer Authors Books and Scripted Series
Bleyer wrote for the Disney+ series The Right Stuff,
Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow,” and Bravo’s Significant Others.
He developed pilots for Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Showtime, and Disney Television Animation.
He co-authored the 2010 book Earth: The Book
with Jon Stewart and wrote the 2012 best-seller “Me the People.” Producer Llewellyn Wells noted that in 2013, Bleyer collaborated with former New Mexico Bill Richardson on How to Sweet-Talk a Shark.
Colleagues Honor Bleyer’s Talent
Actor and screenwriter Danny Strong described Bleyer as a writer’s writer
who could literally do it all
, from scripted dramas to presidential speeches.
His immense talent was only outmatched by his kind soul. I am in complete shock that he is gone, and my sadness is overwhelming. I already miss him dearly.
Danny Strong
Bleyer is survived by his wife, Nella; his father, Archie; his brother, Keith; his sister-in-law, Kelly; his nephew, Evan; and his niece, Lauren. His representative noted that donations in his memory may be directed to the ASPCA or the New York City chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
His wife, Nella Vera, stated that Bleyer spent his life finding the perfect words to make people think and laugh.