City Of Oakland Declares May 19 ‘Paul Mooney Day’

Late comedian Paul Mooney’s hometown is paying tribute by giving him his own day. The City of Oakland declared May 19, the day he passed away, as “Paul Mooney Day.”

TMZ obtained legal documents that show that Oakland City Councilmember Caroll Fife proposed the resolution as a means to recognize Mooney’s “uncompromising social and political commentary and iconic contributions to Black arts and entertainment.”

“Paul Mooney is an Oakland treasure—a trailblazing comedian, writer, producer, film and television actor with a career spanning four decades,” the resolution reads.

The proposal was passed by the city council unanimously on Wednesday. 

The city was planning to honor Mooney before he passed away but didn’t get a chance to. Councilmember Fife hopes the city can pay tribute to other legends on Paul Mooney Day next year and plans to host various events. 

Mooney was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and moved to Oakland as a child. He started his career in comedy by writing for the legend Richard Pryor. Aside from Pryor, he also wrote for Red Foxx and Kevin Hart and on class TV shows like The Chappelle Show, Good Tims, and In Living Color.