Rodney Dangerfield, the comedian whose bulging eyes and self-deprecating humor made him a star of the comedy circuit died yesterday at the age of 82, according to Reuters. Less than two months ago, Dangerfield underwent heart-valve replacement. Since the surgery, the veteran comedian suffered a series of complications including a post-operative stroke. He had been in a coma at UCLA Medical Center for several weeks. Dangerfield's health had been failing for a number of years and he had already had double bypass surgery, a heart attack and undergone brain surgery.

Dangerfield, whose given name was Jacob Cohen, was famous for turning hard luck into comedy genius. His success occurred later in life. His show business career didn't truly begin until he was in his 40s working the comedy clubs after a career as a salesman. He was famous for saying 'I don't get no respect,' and for one-liners like 'My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.' He appeared on the 'The Ed Sullivan Show' 16 times and the 'Johnny Carson Tonight Show' 70 times and 28 times after Jay Leno took over as host.

In 1980, when he was almost 60, he began a movie career. His movie successes included 'Caddyshack' and 'Back to School.' Dangerfield was beloved by many of today's most popular comedians who got their start in Dangerfield's New York comedy club or through his 'Young Comedians' specials for HBO. His signature white shirt and red tie are on display at the Smithsonian. Dangerfield earned a Grammy Award in 1981 for his comedy album 'No Respect' and was given a lifetime achievement honor at the 1994 American Comedy Awards. Before his heart-valve replacement this summer he taped an episode of CBS's 'Still Standing.' His last major big-screen appearance came in 2000's 'Little Nicky' but he also filmed a cameo in the upcoming movie 'The Onion.'

Dangerfield is survived by his wife of 11 years, Joan; two children from a previous marriage, Brian and Melanie; and two grandchildren. A memorial service in Los Angeles is being planned and it is expected that many of the comedy elite will attend.

'Nobody is ever going to be that funny again,' Roseanne said of Dangerfield, in a statement Wednesday. 'He has all of our love, and, most of all, he has our great respect.' Other comedians he helped give a start to include Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey and Jeff Foxworthy.