A longtime Vegas favorite passed unexpectedly in his sleep this week.
Members of our city’s entertainment community form a tightly-knit group. They support and encourage one another, even when vying for the same roles and gigs. They come together when one of their own falls ill, and the tributes pour in after a friend and colleague passes on. That’s what happened this week when comedian Geechy Guy didn’t wake up.
From Geechy Guy’s family and friends:
We are so, extremely heartbroken to share the untimely passing of Michael Paul Cathers, better known as Geechy Guy (King of the One-Liners.)
He was gearing towards live shows this year and next across the US and was really looking forward to performing and seeing fans, both old and new.
Geechy recently shared with a friend that he believed this would be the best year of his career. We take comfort in knowing that his final thoughts were happy, excited, and about comedy, of course.
We hope everyone will keep Geechy and his comedy legacy alive. We know there is nothing he would love more than his jokes to outlive him; for the rest of our lifetimes, and then beyond that.
Geechy, we will miss you so much.
Thank you for not only the decades of laughter but your kind heart and brilliant mind.
We love you. Geechy Guy forever!
Geechy Guy (center) with comedian friends like the late Amazing Jonathan and Carrot Top
Mr. Guy was born in Rochester, Michigan in 1964. He started his career by performing magic at the age of six, then added physical comedy as a juggler and unicyclist. Guy honed his comedic skills at Detroit comedy clubs before appearing on STAR SEARCH during the 1990/91 season, where he beat out Ray Romano. Fellow Vegas entertainers like Carrot Top (above) and Mark O’Toole also got recognition through the TV talent competition.
Guy and Ray Romano (right) on STAR SEARCH 1990
Entertainer Jerry Jones shared the news of Guy’s passing on Thursday, September 7th:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must report that my dear friend and housemate Geechy Guy passed away this afternoon here in my home. I, sadly, was the one who found him. There will be details to follow, but it appears he passed in his sleep. I have so many emotions right now, but what I can say is this:
“This life is short and it is a gift. Use every moment. Buy the shoes. Buy the dress. Take the trip. Go to a nice dinner. Hold a dear one close and tell them how much you love them and cherish that relationship. As I posted recently, you just never know when the next conversation you have about someone will contain the words “did” and “was”. Heartbroken and still in shock…”
The sudden passing of their friend led many to share memories of Geechy Guy. Here are a few.
“I met Geechy Guy my first time at the Hooters Hotel and Casino and he invited me to do a guest spot in The Dirty Jokes Show and a friendship was born. He later brought me into the Las Vegas Friars Club He was immensely generous with his time and his humor and he will not be forgotten. Many of us loved his incredible one-liners and loved him. See you down the road my friend!” – performer John Shaw
Mentalis Gerry McCambridge (above) recorded a video farewell with his audience that you can view here.
“From the minute I met Geechy he had me laughing. We hosted a short run of his show/play Dirty Jokes at Hooters Hotel Casino in what I think was its last run… the jokes were dry — but the delivery was epic – that was really his skill. He could deliver a cold pizza and make you enjoy it.”
“Geechy also was one of the first performers to hit the stage when Don Barnhart brought back Jokesters in November 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. Geechy stood there 25 feet away from the first guest in a room of a total of 50 people (socially distanced) and just made us all laugh.” – Pete Housley, CEO of Admit.VIP
“He was one of the good guys! I’m at a loss for words.” – comedian Don Barnhart
“…a tremendous talent with a heart of gold.” – media personality Dianne Davis
“His originality as a comic was matched by his decency as a human being. One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, inside or outside of show business – he will truly be missed.” – Entertainer Rudy Coby
“Geechy was a very funny and talented comedian, and also a kind spirit. I would often retell his witty jokes to my friends. He will be missed by all of the Las Vegas entertainment community. Geechy is another Las Vegas talent gone too soon.” – Ned Mills, Carpenters Legacy
“I met Geechy in 2008 and I knew instantly watching him perform that he was one of the best in the business, period. ” – entertainer Mark O’Toole
“Heartbroken 
Geechy Guy is family … and, quite literally one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my whole life. Side-splitting funny!! The KING of the one-liners!! Rest peacefully, my friend. Thanks for the laughs.” – actress Sparky Lisa
Geechy Guy is family … and, quite literally one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my whole life. Side-splitting funny!! The KING of the one-liners!! Rest peacefully, my friend. Thanks for the laughs.” – actress Sparky Lisa“I believe, to this day, that Geechy was, and will always be, one of the funniest comics I’ve ever known. I still can’t get over the amount of jokes he had in his back pocket! A joke on any topic! I will always remain in awe at that! As a friend, he would do anything to help and lend a hand. He was so very dear to me and I don’t think I’d ever met someone who was a man but had the heart of a child as much as he did. I still cannot believe he is no longer part of this world … I loved him and always will and he left many great memories behind! I wish I could see him, laugh with him, and sing karaoke with him one more time. – entertainer Penny Wiggins
We’ll add more tributes as they arrive at VEGAS 411. A memorial service will take place at The Space on September 27th at 2pm. Details are in the photo below.
