Comedian Ken Flores Dies at 28, Fondly Remembered for His 'Infectious Laugh and Presence' in L.A. Comedy Scene

 Comedian Ken Flores Dies at 28, Fondly Remembered for His 'Infectious Laugh and Presence' in L.A. Comedy Scene

Comedian Ken Flores Dies at 28, Remembered for His Humor and Impact on L.A. Comedy Scene

Ken Flores, a rising star in the Los Angeles stand-up comedy scene, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 28, his manager Cameron Silzle confirmed. His body was discovered at his home in the afternoon, though no cause of death has been released.

His family shared the heartbreaking news on his Instagram account Wednesday. “It is with great sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our friend, brother, and son, Kenyi Flores. Please respect our privacy at this time as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss.”

Originally from Chicago, Flores—born Kenyi Flores—quickly became a beloved figure in L.A.’s comedy clubs, performing at venues such as the Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, The Haha, and Hollywood Improv. He toured extensively and built close relationships with stand-up veterans like Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy, and Felipe Esparza. A key figure in the next generation of standout Latin comedians, Flores was set to embark on a national tour alongside Ralph Barbosa and close friend Rene Vaca.

“We were going to break seven figures [on this tour], we were going to be millionaires together—it was going to be special,” Vaca told The Times. “Hopefully we can still do it in his honor and give all the money to his family or something. The timing is so messed up because we had just found out about the tour the day before, and then this happened.”

Despite the loss, Vaca, who hosts the monthly Leg Day show at the Laugh Factory, still plans to take the stage Wednesday night at 10 p.m. to honor Flores.

As news of Flores’ passing spread, tributes poured in from the comedy community. Jo Koy, who was in Japan when he heard the news, said he was “crushed.” He shared screenshots of messages he had sent Flores, encouraging him to keep pushing forward in his comedy career.

“I always checked on him—I truly loved this guy,” Koy said. “I literally posted about his tour schedule a couple days before he passed. It’s all so crazy.”

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Gabriel Iglesias also reflected on Flores’ impact, telling The Times, “I feel honored to have spent time with Ken. Of course, he was hilarious, but above all, he was kind, respectful, and fun to be around. He will be missed.”

Felipe Esparza, who mentored Flores for years, called him his “big little brother with an infectious laugh and presence.”

Barbosa, who had grown closer to Flores as they prepared for their tour, praised his authenticity. “Ken was funny as hell, he was real as hell. He was never fake with anybody just to get a step ahead. Anything he accomplished, he did through merit and hard work. … I admired him a lot, and I admired his comedy.”

Flores’ comedic style resonated deeply with audiences. Known for his quick-witted crowd work and raw, relatable humor, he connected with people in a way few could.

Just days before his passing, Flores took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his pride in completing recent tour shows without alcohol. “So I started my tour a couple weeks ago, and I’m proud to say I’ve done every single show—5 in Portland, 1 in Albuquerque, and 4 in Atlanta—without a single drop of alcohol,” he wrote. “Nervous for Phoenix next weekend, but I think I got it. I’m not sober, just wanna chill a bit.”

In December, Flores filmed his first comedy special, which has yet to be released. He had been in the midst of a tour that started in Portland on Jan. 10 and was scheduled to conclude in San Diego on April 19.

“There is so much of Ken Flores that the world didn’t get to see. He was more than a stand-up comedian—he was one of the greatest human beings in the world,” Vaca said. “I always said he was my favorite comedian, and we always called him God’s favorite comedian. ... He changed me as a comedian, and he changed the world. He’s the best, he’s the GOAT.”