Barry Bluestein He spent decades helping shape some of Hollywood’s most beloved comedies before his death in May 2026. The longtime writer and producer became known for his work on Saturday Night Live And his creative partnership with Eddie Murphyhelping to create iconic characters like Gumby, Buckwheat, and Mr. Robinson while co-writing hit films including Coming to America and Professor Al-Jawzi. He also received acclaim for directing the documentary about wrestling Beyond the matWhich he once described as his “favorite thing he ever did.”
News of Bluestein’s death was confirmed on May 12, 2026. According to reports, he had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for nearly a decade and was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Following the news, tributes poured in from fans, former students, comedians and collaborators to honor his impact on entertainment.
“Barry understood what made comedy work better than anyone I knew.” Stephen GallowayThe dean of Dodge College told multiple outlets in a statement. “He knew that it included darkness as well as light. However, it was light that filled his final years. Even as he declined with Parkinson’s disease, he displayed a positivity that always amazed me. He will be remembered as a wonderful writer, but an even more wonderful human being.”
Learn more about him below.
Born and raised in Philadelphia
Bluestein was born on September 10, 1954, and grew up on Long Island, New York. He attended later New York University He earned a college degree before landing an internship at NBC News, which helped launch his entertainment career.
He helped create Eddie Murphy’s most famous “SNL” characters
After joining Saturday Night Live In 1980, Bluestein collaborated with the writer David Sheffield And the rising star Eddie Murphy. Together they created legendary characters and cartoons including Gumby, Buckwheat, Mr. Robinson, Velvet Jones and James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub.
Their collaboration later extended to hit films like Coming to America and Professor Al-Jawzi.
He directed the wrestling documentary “Beyond the Mat.”
In 1999, he directed Bluestein Beyond the mata critically acclaimed documentary that explored the emotional and physical realities of professional wrestling. The film followed stars including Mick Foley, Terry Funkand Jake “The Snake” Robertsand became one of the most respected wrestling documentaries of all time. Blustein once called it his favorite project of his career.
He later became a professor
After decades in Hollywood, Blustein turned toward teaching and joined Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in 2012 as a professor of screenwriting. Former students and colleagues praised him for mentoring young writers and bringing the real Hollywood experience to the classroom.
“I find teaching students really inspiring, and I hope I make them better writers, because I know they make me a better writer,” he said in 2015.
He has battled Parkinson’s disease for years
Bluestein was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017, and has become open about living with the condition, even speaking publicly on behalf of the Parkinson’s Foundation. Shortly before his death, he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
