Winnipeg’s comedy scene is mourning the loss of Clayton Stewart, a beloved performer who died in a house fire Monday afternoon, officials confirmed.
A “Gentle Giant” Remembered
Stewart, 45, was a seasoned standup comedian known for his kindness and infectious laughter.
- Clayton Stewart, a Winnipeg comedian, died in a house fire on Nassau Street.
- Three others escaped the fire, including a man and woman in their 60s and a woman in her 30s.
- Stewart was remembered as a kind, generous person who embraced his Indigenous heritage.
- The fire is currently believed to be accidental, according to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
Stewart was found dead at a home on Nassau Street after a fire broke out Monday afternoon. His aunt, Linda Wilks, described him as a “gentle giant” who dreamed of being a showman from a young age. “He was a wonderful, caring, just an awesome person. Everybody loved him. He had so many friends,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Chief Christian Schmidt said at a news conference Wednesday that the first fire crew arrived on scene approximately five minutes after the 911 call. The caller indicated that someone may have been trapped inside the residence.
“The issue with this call was the significant development of fire, both on the exterior and interior of the building,” Schmidt explained. Firefighters were unable to safely enter the building until they had quelled some of the flames with an exterior attack.
Family and friends of Clayton Stewart say his death will leave a hole that will never be filled. The 45-year-old Winnipeg comedian died in a fire on Nassau Street on Monday.
A man and a woman in their 60s, along with a woman in her 30s, were able to escape the fire and were taken to hospital. Police confirmed Tuesday that all three have since been released.
Wilks shared that Stewart was living at the home with his partner and her parents. Witnesses reported seeing a woman jump from a second-floor window before firefighters arrived at the scene on Nassau Street, between Kylemore and Walker avenues in the Lord Roberts neighbourhood.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was an accident, according to Schmidt.
Embracing Laughter and Heritage
Nelson Mayer, Stewart’s comedic partner, said Stewart deeply loved his fiancée. He described Stewart as someone who “meant a lot” to him and the entire Winnipeg comedy community.
The duo performed together as “The Bad Apples” and were planning a tour of British Columbia, as well as shows in the United Kingdom, Wilks said.
Mayer shared that Stewart and he both had Indigenous roots, but Stewart was unaware of his heritage for much of his life. “When he learned about his background, he was really proud of that part of who he was and embraced it, and wanted to learn as much about it as he could,” Mayer said.
Stewart, a member of Peguis First Nation, was “very honoured that he got to perform on reserves and share laughter with [the] Indigenous community,” Mayer added.
Mayer said Stewart was his best friend, and his laughter would “fill every room he was in.” “He was the one person I was able to go to whenever I was hurting,” Mayer said. “He had a big laugh and was kind to everybody. He loved Star Wars and his cats, who he considered his babies. He had a knack for making everybody feel welcome.”
Beyond standup, Stewart was also an actor and a magician. Wilks recalled seeing videos of his comedy routines online and watching him perform magic tricks for her daughter and granddaughter. “He did really good at the magic tricks,” she said. “They just loved it. They were in awe.”
