Stand-up comics are more likely to die prematurely, ahead of comedic and dramatic actors, an Australian study has found.
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) study, published in the International Journal of Cardiology also found, among comedians, the funniest of the bunch seem to have the shortest life, on average, of all.
"What we found was striking," Professor Simon Stewart from ACU's Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research said.
"On average, their life span was three years less than dramatic actors.
"The study was really about the essential idea that the funnier you are as a comedian, the shorter lifespan you have. So, comedy kills.
"This idea struck me when Robin Williams died — who took his own life tragically — but the idea that he was by himself wondering whether anyone thought he was funny or anyone cared about him struck me that maybe our best comedians die young.
"We tested this formally and it appears to hold true."
The study looked at 498 people, including 200 stand up-comedians, 114 comedy actors, and 184 dramatic actors, with researchers finding the names for each list from a website using crowd ratings.
It found the average age of death for stand-up comedians was shorter at 67.1 years, compared to the average age of comedy actors (68.9) and dramatic actors (70.7).
"They [stand-up comedians] … were more likely to die from car accidents, from suicide, from drug misadventures," Professor Stewart said.
The study built on previous work from the researchers, who also looked into deaths of British comic duos.
"There was a great disparity in the lifespan. The 'funny man' would die way before the 'straight man'," Professor Stewart said.
"Ronnie Barker — who would be considered the more outrageous funny man, if you like — died a long time before Ronnie Corbett."
Many possible reasons for earlier deaths
Professor Stewart said there are many reasons why the phenomenon may exist.
"There's the idea you have to act up all the time," he said.
"Also there may be different expectations on people. If you're meant to be funny all the time, that may have a greater toll on someone than someone being serious all the time."
"Or, it could be partly down to lifestyle.
"While screen actors are generally required to arrive on set early and adhere to tight schedules, thus increasing the likelihood of regular sleep patterns, stand-up comedy involves irregular and late hours and extensive travel."
(Professor Stewart says the idea struck him when Robin Williams (pictured) died)