Comedian D.L. Hughley was hospitalized in Memphis last night, after appearing to suddenly pass out in the middle of a stand-up set. Although the video of the incident is certainly alarming—showing Hughley seemingly lose consciousness literally in the middle of a joke—his representation has released a statement asserting that the famed comedian was only suffering from “exhaustion after all the week’s work and travel,” and stayed in the hospital overnight so that doctors could run tests. He is, per, a later statement, “awake and feeling better, and wishes to thank everyone for the very kind prayers and thoughts.”
Hughley, who’s 57, is a veteran stand-up and actor, with credits ranging all the way back to his days hosting ComicView for BET. He was performing at Zanies in Memphis when the incident occurred.
Update, 11:03 p.m.: Per Deadline, Hughley posted a video on social media earlier this afternoon, announcing that he is now out of the hospital, but that he has tested positive for COVID-19. “So,” he joked in the video, “In addition to all the other stuff you have to look out for, if your ass pass out in the middle of a show, onstage, you probably need to get tested.