Emmy-winning Obama speechwriter Kevin Bleyer who helped pen infamous roast of Donald Trump dies in car crash aged 54

Kevin Bleyer, a four-time Emmy-winning writer who worked on The Daily Show and wrote speeches for Barack Obama, has been tragically killed in a car accident. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bleyer died on October 25 in an accident on a rural road in Millrift, Pennsylvania. He was 54.

His death was announced in a statement from his wife Nella Vera, which was shared with Deadline. 

'Kevin spent his life finding the perfect words to make people laugh, think, and see the world a little differently,' Vera said.

'I was lucky enough to know the humor, curiosity, mischief, and tenderness behind those words—and to be loved by a man who made my own world more joyful, more adventurous, and infinitely more beautiful.'

Bleyer's work for Obama included penning some of the former president's speeches at the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Bleyer's most memorable contribution was arguably helping to write Obama's now infamous 2011 roast of Donald Trump at the annual dinner in Washington, D.C.

One of the most jaw-dropping moments from the speech saw Obama hitting back at Trump for pushing the birtherism conspiracy theory.

'I know he's taken some flack lately,' Obama said, 'but no one is prouder to put this birth certificate issue to rest than Donald.

'And that’s because he can get back to the issues that matter, like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell? And where are Biggie and Tupac?' 

The speech and Trump's subsequent public humiliation at that year's dinner is largely believed to be the moment that The Apprentice host decided to run for president. 

'I think that he is kind of motivated by it: "Maybe I'll just run. Maybe I'll show them all",' Trump political advisor Roger Stone told Frontline PBS in 2016.

Bleyer's political ties don't end there, as he also worked as a speechwriter for Bill de Blasio during his tenure as the mayor of New York City.

He also worked on Bill Maher's former late night show Politically Incorrect and for the Academy Awards.

However, he's best known for his work on the Daily Show, which nabbed him four Emmys.

Actor and screenwriter Danny Strong, best known for starring in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and for co-writing two Hunger Games movies, issued a statement in the wake of Bleyer's death.

'Kevin Bleyer was a writer's writer. From his many years on The Daily Show to writing Obama's WHCD speeches to his many books and his work on numerous scripted dramas, Kevin could literally do it all,' Strong gushed.

'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.'

Bleyer was born in Maryland and attended Stanford University, where he earned a degree in communications. 

He got his big TV break writing and producing on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher from 1996 to 1992. 

After that, he wrote on the Bravo sitcom Significant Others and wrote and produced for Dennis Miller's show.  

His biggest success came as a writer for The Daily Show, where he worked on over 1000 episodes and won a Writers Guild of America award, in addition to his four Emmys.

After The Daily Show ended, Bleyer went back into scripted writing for Fox's Sleepy Hollow series. 

He also published a book in 2012 titled, Me The People: One Man's Selfless Quest to Rewrite the Constitution of the United States of America.