Garry Shandling: A Stand-Up Guy for Animals

When most people think of Garry Shandling, they probably think of his groundbreaking sitcoms, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and The Larry Sanders Show, or his perfectly coiffed hair that he self-deprecatingly referred to in his jokes. But when we think of him, we think of his huge heart for animals. That heart gave out this week, but not before it did a lot of good for animals.

An unabashed dog lover who was especially devoted to his dog, Shep, whom he rescued in Hawaii, Garry lent his tremendous comedic talents to PETA’s “Stand Up for Animals” benefit show to support our efforts to rescue and care for farmed animals. He also served as an honorary committee member at our 1996 Animals Ball and Humanitarian Awards Gala, which raised money to support PETA’s campaigns against the abuse of animals in the farming, clothing, experimentation, and entertainment industries.

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel expressed the sentiments of many with this tweet: “Garry Shandling was as kind and generous as he was funny and that is saying a lot.”