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Kevin Bleyer, an Emmy-winning writer for The Daily Show who also worked as a speechwriter for former president Barack Obama, died in a car crash. He was 54.
By Olivia Evans Oct 28, 2026 3:42 PM | Updated 1 hour ago
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A truly gifted writer is being remembered after a horrific tragedy.
Kevin Bleyer, an Emmy-winning writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, died on Oct. 25 in a car crash, his wife Nella Vera confirmed. He was 54.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the news that my beloved husband and love of my life, Kevin Bleyer died in a car crash,” Vera wrote in an Oct. 27 Instagram post. “I am devastated, heartbroken, shattered. I am joined in grief by his father and brother, sister-in-law, and niece and nephew.”
Bleyer earned eight nominations and four Emmys while writing for Jon Stewart’s political comedy show and contributed to several of Barack Obama’s addresses during his presidency, including at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He also, according to his personal biography, wrote “at least one” speech for Shakira.
After earning a degree from Stanford University, Bleyer launched his political comedy career on Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect series in the early aughts, but began his career in theater as an assistant to Anna Deavere Smith.
In her eulogy, Vera noted that she and Bleyer—who wed in June 2025 after 10 years of dating—initially bonded over their “shared love of political comedy.”
“The last eleven years have had their ups and downs, as life does, but above all, they have been filled with immense love, laughter, dogs, and travel,” Vera continued. “I was in awe of his intellect, dazzled by his wit, amazed by his fearlessness and spirit of adventure, besotted by his loving heart, and smitten by his beautiful blue eyes.”
She emphasized that while Bleyer’s career was undoubtedly accomplished, she was more impressed by who he was behind closed doors.
Nella Vera/Instagram
“To me, he was my soulmate, my partner in crime, and the one who made life so much more fun,” she wrote. “I have family and friends surrounding me with support and helping me through these unimaginable days, but my heart has a hole in it that will never be filled. Hold those you love tight because ‘nothing here is promised, not one day.’”
Bleyer’s former colleagues and friends echoed Vera’s sentiment, emphasizing that he was even better than the words he wrote.
“Kevin could literally do it all,” screenwriter Danny Strong told Deadline in a statement. “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.”
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