Crackhead Bob, a member of Howard Stern’s Wack Pack, has died, Stern said on his website Monday. He was 56.
“He was a huge champion of our show,” Stern said of his frequent guest, born George Harvey.
Known for his speech impediment, Harvey grabbed the attention of Stern’s staff in the mid-’90s, frequently showing up at Stern’s public appearances. He first appeared on the show in 1995. Harvey said that his speech impediment was the result of smoking crack, and that he had been left partially paralyzed by a series of strokes.
Harvey took a break from appearing on the show in 2001, but appeared again in 2005. During his return appearance, Harvey said that he’d taken a break from the show because he’d found himself surrounded by drugs and alcohol during his paid appearances.
“I had to do what I had to do for me, for a while,” Harvey said.
Harvey returned to the show numerous times after Stern moved to satellite radio, but cut ties with the show again in 2007, saying that he was moving to Texas.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Bob’s family and friends,” the post on Stern’s site read.
Harvey’s death marks the latest loss for Stern’s Wack Pack. The past year and a half also saw the deaths of Wack Packers Eric the Actor, Riley Martin and Johnny Fratto.
