Tragedy struck comedian and actor Keith Robinson just as he was on the brink of achieving widespread success. In 2015 Robinson was considered a rising star in the comedy world, gaining recognition for his sharp wit and engaging performances. What happened to Keith Robinson?
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What is Keith Robinson’s biography and early life?
Keith Robinson is an American stand-up comedian and comic actor. As a teenager, Robinson honed his humor with his “back of the bus funny,” later performing on the comedy circuit in his hometown of Philadelphia. In 1993, he competed in Ed McMahon’s Star Search, reaching the finals but falling short of victory. He is also widely recognized for his involvement with “Comedy Express,” a comedy group that gained popularity in the 1980s.
What Happened to Keith Robinson?
In 2016, Keith Robinson suffered a stroke that paralyzed one side of his body and impaired his speech, yet he continued to perform stand-up comedy. He shared his experience in detail in his 2024 Netflix special, “Different Strokes.” The stroke in February 2016 dramatically altered his life. He endured another stroke in 2020, which was even more devastating and left him unable to speak for over a year.
Initially, Robinson was in denial about his condition, dismissing the symptoms as a minor imbalance and taking aspirin to address what he believed was a simple issue with the right side of his body. It was only after his family and friends voiced their concerns that he sought medical help.
Despite receiving a diagnosis, he found it difficult to accept that he had suffered a stroke. When his symptoms persisted the next day, he finally began treatment. Robinson later revealed that his strokes were caused by high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Back in New Jersey, Robinson was hospitalized and later moved to Philadelphia. The pandemic added to his stress, causing a profound sense of helplessness and isolation. He described the loss of his voice for about two years as the most frustrating part, although he managed to cope with the physical falls.
Years of physical therapy and the support of friends and family have helped him recover. Now, Robinson is returning with his new Netflix special, “Different Strokes,” aiming to regain the success he was on the brink of before his illness.
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A Netflix Special Talking About His Stroke
Humor was key to Keith Robinson’s recovery. Writing and performing jokes helped him reconnect with himself. Being at home allowed him to “laugh more” about his stroke, and gradually, he began performing again, starting with a few jokes at a friend’s stand-up gig.
“That was the most nerve-wracking experience because you don’t know if the words are going to come out,” he recalls. “Once I finished the first performance, that feeling was so great. I did like four minutes on stage.”
He kept building his stamina until he could deliver a full set. “I’m back in the rhythm again,” he says. “Going from thinking I’m not able to perform again to an hour special on Netflix is wild.”
His hospital experiences, like when nurses thought he was fighting them, provided him with material. Robinson is proud of his progress and hopes his story inspires others to pursue their passions despite health challenges.
“A lot of people get depressed because they don’t walk or talk like they used to,” he says. “Life ain’t perfect, but you can keep striving and pushing. That’s what I hope people get from my story — you’ve got to fight for anything worthwhile.”
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