Ken Flores, the beloved Los Angeles comedian, made a significant impact in the comedy scene before his untimely death earlier this year at the age of 28.
Despite battling congestive heart failure, Flores continued to bring laughter to audiences until the end, culminating in the release of his final special on June 6, through Hulu’s stand-up series, ‘LOL Live.’
This special featured sets from both Flores and fellow comedian Daphnique Springs, marking not only Flores’ last performance but also showcasing the genuine comedic voice he had developed over the years.
Jeff Clanagan, president and chief distribution officer of Hartbeat — Kevin Hart’s entertainment company which produced the show — praised Flores, stating, ‘Ken Flores was exactly the kind of authentic comedic voice we sought to champion through our ‘LOL Live’ series.’
Born in Chicago and raised in Aurora, Illinois, Flores was a natural comedian who always felt he was funnier than the other comics he watched on stage.
He openly expressed his disdain for some performers, saying, ‘These people suck!’ during an interview with Comedy Gazelle.
Flores honed his craft in renowned Chicago comedy venues such as the Laugh Factory and Zanies, eventually gaining popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
His sets often featured impeccable crowd work and self-deprecating humor, with much of his comedy revolving around his weight and his Mexican identity.
In 2023, renowned comedian Gabriel Iglesias recognized his talent and invited him to open for his ‘Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour’ in Chicago.
Iglesias fondly remembers Flores, noting, ‘It was a highlight to have his family. His mom, dad, and friends were there with him — and 15,000 people that night.’
Following his move to Los Angeles, Flores began to flourish in the comedy scene, connecting with audiences at numerous clubs like the Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, the HaHa, and the Hollywood Improv.
Prominent Latino comedians Rene Vaca and Ralph Barbosa, who referred to Flores as a ‘brother,’ have expressed their profound sorrow over his passing.
Barbosa highlighted Flores’ authenticity, stating, ‘[Ken] never kissed anybody’s ass, which made me respect him more, because that means everything that he got was through talent and hard work.’
The trio of comedians shared memorable moments, including a gathering at a Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles that featured a spinning table, often complicating Flores’ attempts to reach the orange chicken.
Their last reunion occurred just a week before his death during Barbosa’s set at the Hollywood Improv, where they celebrated with improvisational music and laughter.
Barbosa recalled the moment, noting, ‘It’s hard not to get teary-eyed when I think about that day.’
Vaca reflected on the experience, saying, ‘It was as if the universe gave us our opportunity to have that moment with Ken before he left us.’
Vaca shared that he had watched the Hulu special, impressed by Flores’ ability to deliver jokes flawlessly.
He said, ‘Like butter, man — it was beautiful.’
Barbosa, on the other hand, admitted he could only bring himself to view snippets, expressing his grief over Flores’ passing: ‘I just don’t want it to be over, you know?’
The three comedians had plans for a national tour this year, but following Flores’ death, Vaca and Barbosa decided to continue the tour in his honor.
They adopted the name of his tour, ‘The Butterfly Effect,’ splitting profits evenly to support Flores’ family.
Barbosa emphasized, ‘None of us would do it unless it was like we split this evenly.’
At each show, Vaca and Barbosa play an unreleased 15-minute segment of Flores’ performance, sharing his laughter with audiences.
‘He’s still killing it in the audience,’ Vaca remarked, signifying that Flores’ legacy and humor continue to resonate within the comedy community.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2025-06-12/ken-flores-hulu-lol-live-ralph-barbosa-rene-vaca
