Steve Moore
Birth nameSteven Spencer Moore
Born(1954-06-15)June 15, 1954
Danville, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMay 24, 2014(2014-05-24) (aged 59)
Danville, Virginia, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Years active1980s–2000s
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 1995)​
Notable works and rolesDrop Dead Gorgeous (A Tragi-Comedy): The Power of HIV-Positive Thinking

Steven Spencer Moore[1] (June 15, 1954 – 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]

Biography

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]

References

  1. 1 2 "Obituary for Steven Spencer Moore". Swicegood-Barker Funeral Services. May 25, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Local Comic Steve Moore Dies at 59" Archived 2014-12-25 at the Wayback Machine. GayRVA, May 28, 2014.
  3. ↑ "AIDS Survivor Steve Moore: Tears of a Clown". PRX, May 27, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Drop Dead Funny: With his HBO special and live performances, comedian Steve Moore teaches audiences that living with HIV doesn't necessarily mean dying.". Style Weekly.
  5. 1 2 3 "In profile: Steve Moore". The Advocate, June 24, 1997.
  6. ↑ Ed Karvoski, A Funny Time to Be Gay. Simon & Schuster, 2011. ISBN 0684818965. p. 120.
  7. 1 2 "Moore Celebrates The Power Of Positive Thinking". Chicago Tribune, June 13, 1997.
  8. ↑ "Lois Bromfield's Empty Closet". The Advocate, March 22, 1994. pp. 54-56.
  9. ↑ "Laughing out loud: Gay and lesbian comics go the extra comedic mile on TV special". The Gazette, February 9, 1999.
  10. ↑ "HIV-positively funny". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 13, 1998.
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