Steve Moore | |
---|---|
Birth name | Steven Spencer Moore |
Born | Danville, Virginia, U.S. | June 15, 1954
Died | May 24, 2014 Danville, Virginia, U.S. | (aged 59)
Nationality | American |
Years active | 1980sā2000s |
Spouse | |
Notable works and roles | Drop Dead Gorgeous (A Tragi-Comedy): The Power of HIV-Positive Thinking |
Steven Spencer Moore[1] (June 15, 1954 ā May 24, 2014)[2] was an American stand-up comedian, best known for his 1997 HBO comedy special Drop Dead Gorgeous (A Tragi-Comedy): The Power of HIV-Positive Thinking, about his experiences living with HIV/AIDS.[3]
Born and raised in Danville, Virginia,[2] he attended Virginia Commonwealth University.[4]
Although gay, he was in a lavender marriage to Canadian comedian Lois Bromfield from 1980 to 1995.[5] Moore frequently performed as the warm-up comedian for tapings of Roseanne, on which Bromfield was a writer;[5] he also appeared in Roseanne Barr's 1992 comedy special Roseanne Arnold: Live From Trump Castle,[4] and was a warm-up comedian for Margaret Cho's sitcom All American Girl.[6]
Diagnosed HIV-positive in 1989,[7] he came out about both his sexuality and his HIV status in the mid-1990s,[5] developing a one-man comedy show about life with HIV which became Drop Dead Gorgeous.[7] Bromfield came out as lesbian around the same time.[8]
He also performed at the inaugural We're Funny That Way! comedy festival in 1997, and appeared in the festival's documentary film in 1998,[9] and had supporting roles in the film Love Kills and the sitcom Ellen.[4] Despite the increased profile and strong critical reviews he gained from the HBO special, however, a subsequent national comedy tour was not as successful; just nine people attended the tour's opening show in San Francisco, and several other shows had to be canceled due to poor ticket sales.[4]
Moore continued to support himself with smaller-scale comedy touring, including performing at HIV/AIDS and LGBT conferences and events,[10] and as a speaker on AIDS and HIV issues.
Moore died on May 24, 2014, at his residence in Danville, Virginia, aged 59.[1][2]