A lot of entertainers have passed away recently.  This one's story hasn't made the national headlines yet, but I think it should for the lesson he can teach us.

Fellow comedian and inspiration, Cain Lopez passed away last week after battling lung cancer.  He wasn't a household name, but he was well-respected by his peers and loved by audiences. 

I was hiking a couple weeks ago when I ran into a comedian friend of mine who told me the news.  Cain was hospitalized with lung cancer.  I couldn't believe it!  Not only was it heart wrenching to hear this about a 30-year-old, non-smoking man, but Cain had been through so much already.

In 2002, it seemed as if Cain was on his way to stardom.  He had captured some  attention in the comedy industry and many believed he was about to make it big. 

Tragically, a drunk driver recklessly ran a red light and changed Cain's life.  The accident probably should have killed him, but he escaped with a permanent limp and a shattered jaw, which doctors replaced with a a wrist bone.

Some of Cain's most fervent believers to lost interest in him after the accident, but Cain worked harder.  He bounded back funnier than ever. 

Just as it seemed he was getting back on his feet, Cain was diagnosed with jaw cancer in 2003.  He beat it like a champ and was back on stage, cheating death every show.

How does a comedian make such tragedy funny?  Cain somehow did. Watch him here.

Anyone who can do that gets an A in my book.  I was lucky enough to get him in my video for "SexyCrack. " He plays the big plumber to contrast with Brad Williams as the little-person plumber. 



Near the end, Cain may have been bedridden, but he was still keeping his sense of humor.  He barely knew some of the people who came to visit him, and remarked how his hospital room was turning into one of the hottest networking spots in Hollywood. 

We all though he'd pull through.  He was an expert at overcoming life-threatening obstacles.   This minor cancer "speed bump" was giving him fuel for his triumphant return to the stage. 



Man, I want that ending to be true so badly.  But, although the disease ultimately took a toll on his body, his spirit never died.

So, if you're an influential journalist reading this, please do us all a favor and break this story nationally.  Now is the perfect time with the release of the new Adam Sandler movie, "Funny People," about a comedian who becomes terminally ill.  In this case, I wish life hadn't imitated art, but Cain has a lot to admire and laugh about even in the gravest circumstances.

Thanks for reading and watching, and please visit Cain's Myspace page at www.myspace.com/cainlopez

-Eric Schwartz