With a heavy heart, the New Trier News dedicates its 2012 Lagniappe-Potpourri Examiner issue to the memory of Griffin O’Brien, head writer for the show back in 2009. A 2009 New Trier graduate, he passed away unexpectedly on July, 11 2012 at the age of 22.
Griffin’s career in comedy exceeded his time at New Trier. As a senior at Emerson College in Boston, O’Brien was a member of their award winning comedy team and was nominated for MVP of the TBS National College Comedy Competition. Griffin was a three-year member and head writer of Jimmy’s Traveling All Stars, a sketch comedy troupe. He also interned at the Colbert Report.
Although O’Brien was a rising comedian, he was still dedicated to his hometown. He was a long time student and participant with The Second City Comedy Club in Chicago, where he was described as having a “witty sense of humor” and an “unselfish commitment to all of his projects” by Jeff Gandy, Youth Programs Director of Second City.
“He was incredibly funny and always brought a great energy to rehearsals,” said director of the 2009 Lagniappe
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Griffin O’Brien Scholarship, set up in his honor, at Emerson College Office of Development, 120 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116.