PEORIA — In October 2024, Steve Bridges talked about his wife and three kids, including 9-year-old twins. He talked about settling down in Peoria and shooting his comic video sketches that were turning viral on TikTok.
That voice and talent was silenced this week at age 41, leaving his wife, Chelsey, to post an emotional announcement on social media on Friday, Oct. 17.
“My name is Chelsey and I’ve been Steve’s wife and partner for the last 16 years,” she said. “I’m really sorry to get on and tell you this. I think if I wait any longer, I’m not gonna be able to do it.”
Actor, comedian, and viral TikTok and Instagram rising star Steve Bridges, who now produces his character sketch videos while living in Peoria.
How did Steve Bridges die?
Chelsey said Steve died peacefully in his sleep at home on Wednesday, although an official cause of death is not known. TMZ reports the Peoria Police Department responded to a “natural cause of death call” at a private residence. Chelsey also told the news outlet that three of Steve’s relatives also died in their 40s and 50s.
A GoFundMe page is under way to help the family, and as of Friday evening it was approaching $40,000.
“He was the most attentive father,” Chelsey said. “And the best, the best husband. And the greatest, sweetest man. And thanks to you, Internet, he’s been able to live his dream of making people laugh. And I am so thankful.
“I’m so thankful that he got to do that. I have so much more I want to say about him. I have so many stories. We have so many plans.”
Friend and filmmaker Eric Mathis told The Daily Mail Steve his “brother from another mother,” saying everyone who met him had loves him.
“He was so kind, so genuine, so passionate about his art,” Mathis said, “and infectious in his many amazing traits.”
International news outlets reported Steve’s death, including The Daily Mail, TMZ, People Magazine and Us Weekly.
Who is Steve Bridges?
Bridges made his mark as a comic sketch artist, developing characters named “Junior” and “Dirty Dan” and others who ranged from obnoxious to sympathetic. He sometimes used Peoria landmarks as a setting.
Bridges’ comedy collected 400,000 followers on Instagram and over 2 million on TikTok. He had another 10,000-plus on YouTube.
He grew up in Portland, Oregon, and told the Journal Star stories of a childhood that ended up in foster care.
More: How a Peoria resident’s comedy character sketch videos have gone viral across social media
How did he find his way to Peoria?
“My wife saw a TikTok by a creator named Angie, talking about how cheap the housing was around here,” Bridges said in October. “So we came out here.”
Bridges’ career dreams included appearing on iconic sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live.” And transitioning from being a comedian, to flat-out being an actor. His most popular character, Junior, was scheduled to head to the big screen with him. Bridges had been signed to portray Junior in a romantic comedy he expected to start shooting in the spring of 2025.
“I would love to be able to do movies and support my ambitions,” Bridges said. “But I feel like I will always make these little videos, been doing them since the 90s. Finally, something hit that I had made.”
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Viral TikTok comedian Steve Bridges, Peoria resident dies at 41
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