Wayne’s World star Dana Carvey revealed his son Dex Carvey has died at the age of 32 from an accidental drug overdose.
The SNL alum, 68, and his wife Paula released a heartbreaking statement on Instagram on Thursday which read: ‘Last night we suffered a terrible tragedy. Our beloved son, Dex, died of an accidental drug overdose. He was 32 years old.’
‘Dex packed a lot into those 32 years. He was extremely talented at so many things – music, art, film making, comedy – and pursued all of them passionately.’
The couple continued: Dex ‘most of all, he loved his family, his friends and his girlfriend, Kaylee. Dex was a beautiful person. His handmade birthday cards are a treasure. We will miss him forever.’
Dana and Paula, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary earlier this year, are also parents to son Thomas, 30.
The statement concluded: ‘To anyone struggling with addiction or who loves someone struggling with addiction, you are in our hearts and prayers.’
Amid news of his passing Thursday, Carvey took to Twitter with a pair of images of Dex. He captioned one of the shots: ‘Dex and me working together. What a joy.’
Dex died Wednesday evening at his home in Los Angeles, as his girlfriend called emergency services around 10 p.m., police sources told TMZ Thursday.
Dex ‘was locked in a bathroom,’ law enforcement told the outlet, and ‘was unresponsive upon discovery; police sources told TMZ that paramedics had attempted to revive Dex, who was subsequently ‘pronounced dead on the scene.’
An autopsy on Dex has been performed, but authorities have not determined his cause of death, as they’re waiting on the results from toxicology tests.
Dexter had a career background in entertainment, as he was a comedian who opened for his father in 2016, during the filming of his Netflix special Straight White Male.
Dex had also appeared in a number of projects, including the 2016 short film Carpool Pandering; 2016’s Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser; the 2014 miniseries Beyond the Comics; and the 2013 miniseries The Funster, according to iMDb.
He has also worked onstage alongside his brother, Thomas, who is also active in comedy.
Dana is best known for his work on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, as he was a cast member on the series from 1986 to 1993.
He collected a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program in his final year on the series, and has hosted the show multiple times in the years since his departure.
Among the most notable recurring characters he played during his stint on the series included The Church Lady, Hans and Garth Algar.
He also gained plaudits for his uncanny impressions, most famously that of late President George H.W. Bush.
Dana played the role of Garth in the hit 1992 SNL spinoff movie Wayne’s World alongside Mike Myers, and the 1993 sequel.
The actors reprised the famed characters for an Uber Eats ad for the Super Bowl in 2021.
Dana has also been seen in motion pictures such as 1990’s Opportunity Knocks, 1994’s Clean Slate and 1994’s Trapped in Paradise.
This year, he has worked on the animated Netflix series Mulligan, voicing the role of Senator Cartwright LaMarr.
A number of Carvey’s peers and fans chimed in to the comment thread on his Instagram account to leave their condolences for the family amid the tragic time.
SNL alum Chris Kattan wrote, ‘Such devastating news. I’m beyond sorry for your loss,’ while SNL mainstay Kenan Thompson said, ‘Oh my God!!! I’m so so sorry!!!!’
SNL’s Darrell Hammond said, ‘So sorry my friend. My condolences to you and Paula.’
Comedian Mike Falzone said, ‘No way. I’m so sorry,’ while comic Brian Monarch said, ‘So sorry Dana. Condolences to you and your family.’
Comedian Tim Dillon said, ‘Very sorry for your loss Dana. He was a great kid.’
Actress Susan Yeagley wrote, ‘Dana, Paula and Tom, we are so sorry for this devastating loss. Sending you all so much love.’