Schitt’s Creek cast pay tribute to ‘genius’ producer Ben Feigin after tragic death
Schitt’s Creek producer Ben Feigin has died. (Getty/United Talent Agency)
Tributes have been paid to Emmy award-winning Schitt’s Creek executive producer Ben Feigin who died on Monday (27 October) from pancreatic cancer, aged 47.
The news was confirmed by his former employer UTA and he is survived by his wife, Helen, and 11-year-old daughter Ellie.
Schitt’s Creek co-creator Eugene Levy shared a condolence message on behalf of the Schitt’s Creek cast and crew.
“We were saddened to hear the news of Ben Feigin’s passing,” he wrote, “the Schitt’s Creek family extend our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Heidi, his daughter Ellie, and all of his family and friends. He will be missed.”
The tweet was re-shared by the official Schitt’s Creek Twitter page and many fans shared their condolences in the comment.
We were saddened to hear the news of Ben Feigin’s passing. The Schitt’s Creek family extend our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Heidi, his daughter Ellie, and all of his family and friends. He will be missed.— Eugene Levy (@Realeugenelevy) October 26, 2022
Among Feigin’s colleagues, friends and family, NYT best-selling author Jonathan Allen wrote: “The world knew him as an Emmy-award-winning executive producer of Schitt’s Creek and a creative genius.
“I will never forget our countless one-on-one baseball games. His memory is a blessing.”
And his sister, Betsy Feigin Befus echoed the sentiments, writing: “My brother was a creative genius and the funniest person I knew.
“He lived an authentic life of integrity. I’ve lost my number one, almost twin, best friend.”
Fans also opened up about the impact Schitt’s Creek and Feigin’s work has had on them, with one person writing: “Ben Feigin brought forth the first show on TV that ever made me feel okay for being who I was.
“The first show ever where both sides of the family were supportive. It showed millions of people that it isn’t always bad.”
Ben Feigin was one of my first friends. We went to nursery school through HS together; were bunkmates at camp. One of the funniest people I ever met. I hear bits he would do 35 years ago even now. Wish I had spend more time with him later in life. May his memory be a blessing https://t.co/aBFoURxqch
— Nick Rosenberg (@nickrosenberg) October 26, 2022
I first met Ben in 1998 at Handprint Entertainment and he was one of my favorite people there, though he would quickly move on to better things. That he would die two weeks after Adam of another devastating disease and far too young makes me really sad. https://t.co/54Ydzoafgc— Larissa Merriman (@lifewithlarissa) October 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/WaylonPayne/status/1585575973407293441?s=20&t=4CzpOs42ekyqPBl_vpnW0g
Feigin was praised for his work on the hugely successful beloved sitcom Schitt’s Creek, which has quickly become a LGBTQ+ cult classic.
He not only supported its growth during the early seasons, ensuring its partnership to Netflix, but he also created the immersive documentary experience Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: A Schitt’s Creek Farewell.
Ben Feigin won an Emmy in 2020 for Outstanding Comedy Series and a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy Television Series.
A donation page in his memory has been set up to StandUpToCancer, with the message reading: “Ben approached his diagnosis with courage and an unwavering commitment to pursuing all medical interventions available.
“His love for his family inspired his fight until the end of his life.”
