Dana Carvey, the actor-comedian and former “Saturday Night Live” alum, recently shared his reflections on mourning the loss of his son Dex Carvey, who passed away late last year. The comedian opened up about his grieving process during an episode of the “Fly on the Wall” podcast, which he co-hosted with fellow comedian David Spade. The episode, released on Wednesday, marked Carvey’s return to the podcast following Dex’s death in November.
In the podcast, Carvey discussed the private journey of grief that he, his wife, and their remaining son are navigating together. He emphasized the importance of staying active and engaged in life, mentioning activities like hiking and attending church. “You just want to make sure that you keep moving,” Carvey shared, highlighting the need to continue living and finding joy even amid the pain of loss.
Carvey expressed that resuming podcasting would be beneficial for his own healing process. “Getting back in the swing of it will be very healthy for me as I recover,” he said. Acknowledging the shared experience of grief, Carvey mentioned that he is on the “pain train” along with millions of others worldwide. He emphasized the uncertainty of how long one stays on this journey of pain and when it might improve.
Reflecting on the grieving process, Carvey described it as a challenging and unpredictable path. “And you don’t know how long you’re going to be on it or when it will stop or when it will get better. But in the meantime, all of this kind of stuff is very healthy,” he said.
Dex Carvey, 32, passed away on November 15 at his home, and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be an accidental drug overdose. In an Instagram post the following day, Dana Carvey shared the heartbreaking news and paid tribute to his son. Carvey described Dex as an individual with extraordinary talents in music, art, filmmaking, and comedy, and he acknowledged his son’s passionate pursuit of these interests.
Dex Carvey, the eldest son of the renowned “Wayne’s World” star, had followed in his father’s footsteps as a comedian. He even opened for Dana Carvey’s 2016 Netflix stand-up special, “Dana Carvey: Straight White Male, 60.” Additionally, Dex co-founded the Third Wheel Comedy Club in Los Angeles, as mentioned in his Instagram bio.
In the joint statement with his wife, Paula Zwagerman, Dana Carvey expressed love and support for those grappling with addiction and offered prayers to anyone dealing with the challenges of addiction. The couple urged compassion and understanding for those facing similar struggles, emphasizing the impact of addiction on individuals and their loved ones.
As Carvey continues to navigate the complexities of grief, returning to podcasting and engaging in various activities with his family serve as part of the healing process. The comedian’s openness about his experiences contributes to a broader conversation about loss, resilience, and the importance of community support during challenging times.