Beloved Los Angeles comic Ken Flores died earlier this yr, however not earlier than giving audiences one ultimate hearty snort.
On June 6, Hulu launched two episodes of Kevin Hart’s stand-up sequence, “LOL Live,” that includes units by Flores and Daphnique Springs. That is the primary and final particular ever taped by the budding comic, who died within the midst of his headlining “Butterfly Effect” tour at age 28, following a historical past of congestive coronary heart failure.
“Ken Flores was exactly the kind of authentic comedic voice we sought to champion through our ‘LOL Live’ series,” mentioned Jeff Clanagan, president and chief distribution officer of Hartbeat, Hart’s leisure firm, which produced this system. “[The special] captured his unique ability to connect with audiences through genuine storytelling.”
Born in Chicago and raised in Aurora, Ailing., Flores was intrinsically comical, deeply satisfied that he was funnier than any of the booked comics he witnessed on stage.
“These people suck!” he advised the Comedy Gazelle weblog in 2023.
Flores honed his comedian chops at in style Chicago-area comedy golf equipment, together with the Snort Manufacturing facility and Zanies, and rose to higher recognition on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the place he shared snippets of his units— usually crammed together with his impeccable crowd work and self-deprecating humor. The comedian usually made his life-style the punchline, primarily taking purpose at his personal weight and Mexican id.
Gabriel Iglesias took discover of the rising star, tapping him to open for his 2023 “Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour” in Chicago.
“It was a highlight to have his family. His mom, dad and friends were there with him — and 15,000 people that night,” mentioned Iglesias, who remembers Flores as “kind” and “respectful.” The younger act additionally went on tour with established comedians Jo Koy and Felipe Esparza.
However it was after his transfer to Los Angeles in 2023 that Flores appeared to take flight, constructing a neighborhood throughout numerous comedy golf equipment together with Hollywood‘s Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, the HaHa and the Hollywood Improv.
“People did like him and that’s very telling,” mentioned Iglesias.
Amongst those that liked and proceed to mourn Flores are Rene Vaca and Ralph Barbosa — distinguished Latino acts within the comedy world — who thought-about the late comic a “brother.”
“The most memorable thing about him was how real he was,” mentioned Barbosa. “[Ken] never kissed anybody’s ass, which made me respect him more, because that means everything that he got was through talent and hard work.”
Two distinct recollections linger for the duo. The primary happened at a restaurant in L.A., which marked the primary time all of them obtained collectively.
“It was one of those Chinese restaurants with those spinning tables,” mentioned Vaca. “Ken was always trying to reach for the orange chicken, but every time he reached for it, [the table] kept spinning away from him.”
Then there’s their final reunion in L.A. when all three comedians obtained on stage to carry out throughout Barbosa’s set on the Hollywood Improv on Jan. 21, only a week earlier than Flores’ loss of life.
“We had some drinks in us, we had the piano, we were improvising songs … Rene fell on the ground trying to pants Ken,” mentioned Barbosa. “It’s hard not to get teary eyed when I think about that day.”
“It was as if the universe gave us our opportunity to have that moment with Ken before he left us, you know?” mentioned Vaca.
Vaca has already watched the Hulu particular, marveling at Flores’ potential to land the jokes completely. “Like butter, man — it was beautiful,” he mentioned. Barbosa, alternatively, has solely seen snippets. Choking up, he admits, “ I just don’t want it to be over, you know?”
The three had plans for a nationwide tour this yr, which Vaca and Barbosa continued in honor of their buddy. They adopted his tour title, “The Butterfly Effect,” splitting the revenue 3 ways to incorporate Flores’ household. “None of us would do it unless it was like we split this evenly,” mentioned Barbosa.
Throughout each present, the pair play an unreleased 15-minute phase of Flores, who jokes in regards to the fluttering affect of such majestic creatures. “He’s still killing it in the audience,” mentioned Vaca.
