Comedian Finds Healing Through Improv and Stand-Up After Tragic Loss

Michael Cruz Kayne turned to comedy to cope with the death of his infant son, eventually creating a show that explores grief and loss.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 9:40am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sixteen years ago, Michael Cruz Kayne's infant son Fisher passed away at just 34 days old. Kayne and his wife Carrie were devastated, but found solace in caring for their surviving twin son Truman. Years later, Kayne discovered improv comedy as a way to cope with his grief, eventually transitioning to stand-up. Though the comedy initially felt hollow, Kayne eventually created a show called "Sorry For Your Loss" that openly explores his experience with loss and grief, which has resonated with audiences and helped him process his own emotions.

Why it matters

Kayne's story highlights how creative outlets like comedy can provide an avenue for processing profound grief and loss, even in the most tragic of circumstances. His willingness to be vulnerable and open up about his experiences has also helped foster a sense of community among those who have endured similar losses.

The details

After Fisher's death, Kayne and his wife Carrie struggled to cope, but found purpose in caring for their surviving twin son Truman. Years later, Kayne discovered improv comedy, which provided a temporary escape from his grief. He eventually transitioned to stand-up comedy, but found the work increasingly hollow as his thoughts kept returning to Fisher. Kayne then started openly writing and talking about his loss, first on social media and then in a 45-minute comedy set. This evolved into a full show called "Sorry For Your Loss" that explores grief and loss in a raw and honest way, resonating with audiences and earning critical acclaim.

  • Sixteen years ago, Kayne's infant son Fisher passed away at 34 days old.
  • In 2020, Kayne first tested out his "Sorry For Your Loss" show at the Asian Comedy Fest.
  • The show had a six-week off-Broadway run at the Minetta Lane Theatre in Manhattan in 2021, which was later extended to eight weeks.
  • "Sorry For Your Loss" was later released on the Audible platform and nominated for several theater awards.
  • The show is now available to stream on the Dropout comedy platform.

The players

Michael Cruz Kayne

A comedian who turned to improv and stand-up comedy as a way to cope with the tragic loss of his infant son.

Carrie

Kayne's wife, who went back to school to become a nurse while Kayne pursued comedy.

Truman

Kayne and Carrie's surviving twin son, who helped pull them forward after the loss of their other son Fisher.

Fisher

Kayne and Carrie's infant son who passed away at 34 days old.

Ed Pokropski and Kate Moran

Producers who offered Kayne 45 minutes to do "whatever" he wanted, which led to the creation of his "Sorry For Your Loss" show.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Is it hard to imagine, a guy with a dead son, playing Zip Zap Zop in a basement underneath a grocery store?”

— Michael Cruz Kayne

“Imbuing the things you do with meaning could change your whole life. I am careful not to say 'finding' meaning. Take the thing you're already doing, and jam the meaning right in there. It helped me immensely. Not by taking away my grief, but by bringing me closer to it, inside of it.”

— Michael Cruz Kayne

What’s next

Kayne plans to continue touring his "Sorry For Your Loss" show and exploring themes of grief and loss through his creative work.

The takeaway

Kayne's journey shows how finding purpose and meaning through creative outlets like comedy can be a powerful way to process and cope with profound loss and grief, even in the most devastating of circumstances.