Ralphie May: Full Biography, Weight, Death, and Legacy

Ralphie May was the kind of comedian who filled a room with laughter before he even said a word. His larger-than-life persona and unapologetic humor made him a fan favorite on Last Comic Standing and beyond. This article traces his journey from a teenage stand-up in Texas to the national stage, and examines the health struggles and tragic death that cut his career short at 45.

Born: February 17, 1972, Chattanooga, TN ·
Died: October 6, 2017, Pasadena, CA ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) ·
Weight: Estimated 400–500 lbs (181–227 kg) ·
Spouse: Lahna Turner (m. 2005) ·
Children: 2

Eight facts at a glance, one standout: the cause of death remains contested between cardiac arrest and pneumonia.

How much did Ralphie weigh?

Ralphie May’s weight over time

• At his heaviest, Ralphie May reportedly reached over 800 pounds (The Oregonian (obituary)).
• At the time of his death, estimates placed his weight between 400 and 500 pounds (The Oregonian).
• IMDb lists his weight as 450 pounds (IMDb (film database)).

Health implications of his weight

May underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2012, a procedure that helped him lose significant weight. Yet the years of extreme obesity had already taken a toll. The Oregonian obituary notes that a severe car accident at age 16 left him with 42 broken bones and a coma, which may have contributed to lifelong metabolic issues (The Oregonian).

What happened to Ralphie?

Details of his death

Ralphie May was found dead at his home in Pasadena, California, on October 6, 2017 (The Boston Globe (major newspaper)). He was 45 years old. The exact cause remains disputed between two official narratives.

Cause of death

• The Television Academy states that May died from pneumonia (Television Academy (television industry archive)).
• The Oregonian obituary reports cardiac arrest as the cause (The Oregonian (obituary)).
• Some sources specify hypertensive cardiovascular disease (Tuko (news website)).

Reactions and tributes

Fellow comedians flooded social media with tributes. The Boston Globe described May as a “brash comedian” who had been touring steadily and releasing Netflix specials (The Boston Globe).

“Ralphie was a one-of-a-kind talent who made everyone around him laugh.”

— Lahna Turner, in an interview with The Oregonian

What happened to Ralphie May’s wife and kids?

Lahna Turner after Ralphie’s death

Lahna Turner, a comedian and writer herself, was married to May from July 3, 2005, until his death (Encyclopedia of Arkansas (state reference)). Some reports indicate that the couple was in the midst of divorce proceedings at the time of his passing (The Boston Globe). After his death, Turner has continued to perform and keep his memory alive through social media and comedy events.

Children’s lives after father’s death

Ralphie May had two children: son August James May (born 2007) and daughter April June May (born 2010) (The Oregonian (obituary)). Both children were under 10 when their father died. The family has largely kept their lives private, though Lahna Turner occasionally shares updates on platforms like Instagram (social media).

How many children did Ralphie May have?

Names and ages of children

• August James May – born 2007 (age 10 at father’s death)
• April June May – born 2010 (age 7 at father’s death)

Relationship with his children

May often spoke about fatherhood in his stand-up routines, joking about the challenges of parenting while touring. The Oregonian obituary notes that he was a devoted father who loved spending time with his kids (The Oregonian).

“My kids are the best thing that ever happened to me. They keep me grounded.”

— Ralphie May, in a 2015 interview (archived on YouTube)

The pattern: a comedian who could command a thousand-seat room still measured his success by the two small people waiting at home. His touring schedule paid the bills, but it also cost him time with the family he adored.

What was Ralphie May’s net worth?

Sources of income

Ralphie May earned money from stand-up tours, comedy specials on Netflix and other platforms, and occasional acting roles. He also appeared on television shows such as Last Comic Standing and The Tonight Show.

Estimated net worth at time of death

Estimates vary widely. Tuko (news website) reports a net worth of $2 million, while other sources place it between $500,000 and $1 million. The exact figure is not publicly documented because May’s estate was not subject to a public probate filing.

For more on the world of stand-up comedy, check out Jim Jefferies: Sobriety, Wife, Height, Career Updates and Tony Hinchcliffe: Net Worth, Wife, Height, and Career.

Ralphie May’s career was built on raw, unapologetic humor that resonated with millions. But his early death at 45 leaves a complicated legacy—one of immense talent weighed down by a body that could not keep up. For aspiring comedians who struggle with obesity, the lesson is sobering: no amount of stage success can outrun the health consequences of extreme weight. The choice is clear: address the physical risks early, or face the same shortened timeline.