Watch: Kenan Thompson & Kel Mitchell Announce Long-Awaited Good Burger 2
Jan “JP” Schwieterman, the actor known for his role in Good Burger, died Feb. 28 following a battle with stage 4 cancer, his brother confirmed. He was 52.
“He recently found out he had an aggressive form of stage 4 cancer and passed yesterday evening,” Chad Schwieterman wrote in a March 1 Facebook post. “Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this difficult time. Rest in peace, brother. We love you and miss you.”
Alongside his heartbreaking message, Chad shared a collection of photos of him and Jan posing with their parents and sisters, of Jan as a child, recent photos of Jan doing photography, and photos from his time spent acting.
Jan got his start in television in 1994, with a role on the ABC series McKenna. At the start of his career, he also appeared on ER, and Forever. It was his role in 1997’s Good Burger, where he was a standout as Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell’s character’s rival, Kurt Bozwell, the owner of Mondo Burger.
An online obituary for the late actor, which noted a memorial service was held for Jan in his hometown of Berger, Missouri, on March 4, further shared insight into his career and passions outside Hollywood.
“Growing up J.P. was in the Boy Scouts of America, and he was proud of the fact he became an Eagle Scout. Soon after high school he moved to California and became an actor,” the obituary read. “He was the lead villain in the movie Good Burger playing the role of Kurt Bozwell owner of Mondo Burger.”
“J.P. also had roles in the TV series McKenna and ER,” it continued. “In 2007 he returned in the movie Along the Way. J.P. loved to travel. He has traveled to many countries throughout his life, most recently to Thailand. He was an artist of photography and painting. He studied martial arts and loved playing Dungeons and Dragons.”
In the comments of the online obituary, Jan’s father, LeeRoy Schwieterman, expressed how with the news of his son’s death, he wanted to share with well-wishers the story of his birth—including how he and his wife, Clara “Sid” Reed, came up with his name.
“We had met a wonderful young man named Jan and liked the name,” LeeRoy wrote. “The ‘a’ in Jan sounds like the ‘a’ in Patrick—seemed like a good fit—so, Jan Patrick got his name. I had purchased a yashica camara because it took great pictures which I wanted of Sid and J.P. May J.P. rest in peace, Amen.”
The Good Burger actor died Feb. 28, not long after he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, his brother confirmed in a statement. He was 52.
The YouTuber, whose real name is Philip Enewally, was found dead in a mail room March 14, according to Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner records obtained by E! News. He was 26.
The son of Grand Duke Henri‘s cousin Prince Robert and his wife Princess Julie died March 1 after a battle with PolG mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder. He was 22.
Cory Schwartz/Getty Images
The New York Dolls frontman died Feb. 28 at age 75 after battling stage 4 cancer.
The South Korean artist was found dead in his home in March, with authorities citing cardiac arrest.
The R&B star died March 1 after suffering injuries in a car crash in Montgomery, Ala. She was 63.
Authorities confirmed The French Connection actor, his wife and their dog were found dead in their home on Feb. 26.
Henry Lamb/Photowire/BEI/Shutterstock
The Gossip Girl actress was found dead in her New York City apartment on Feb. 26, NYPD confirmed to E! News. She was 39.
Instagram / Jesus Guerrero
The celebrity hairstylist, who worked with stars such as Kylie Jenner, Demi Moore and Jennifer Lopez, died at age 34, his family announced Feb. 22.
The South Korean actress, who starred in the Netflix series Bloodhounds, was found dead at her home Feb. 16. She was 24.
(Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
Candice Bergen‘s husband of over 20 years died at the age of 88.
“Marshall. Beloved father, husband, and friend, died peacefully at home in the early hours of Febuary 15,” read his New York Times Obituary published Feb. 17. “After many years of extraordinary strength and resilience, he passed from complications with Parkinson’s disease.”
Instagram / Bailey Hutchins
The TikToker, who documented her health journey on social media, died after a colon cancer battle on Feb. 7. She was 26.
“I’m devastated to say that my Bailey B has passed away last night,” her husband Caden Hutchins wrote in a Feb. 8 Instagram post, jointly with Bailey’s account. “She fought such a tough incredible fight these past two years and she’s no longer suffering from all the torturous pain she has endured during this journey. Being your husband and caregiver has been such a blessing to me.”
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The former Miami Dolphins player died on Feb. 5 at the age of 81.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tulsa Football Legend and Hall of Famer, Howard Twilley,” his alma mater wrote in a Feb. 6 post to Facebook. “Twilley was one of the greatest recievers in College Football hsitory, setting numerous NCAA records before venturing to the NFL and winning two Super Bowls. Our hearts and sympathies are with Twilley’s family and his many friends.”
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock
The Atlanta-based rapper, who was behind mid-2000s hits like “Walk It Out” and “2 Step,” died in January at the age of 43, according to his family and friends.
“I just lost my husband and my kids just lost their father,” Sherkita Long-Platt, the wife of the late musician (real name Anthony Leonard Platt), wrote in a Jan 24 Facebook post. “Our life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU ANTHONY FOREVER.”
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Global Genes)
The Voice alum, who competed on the reality singing show in 2014 as a member of Team Blake Shelton, passed away at the age 44 on Jan. 28, as confirmed by the Clark County Coroner in Las Vegas.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
The legendary musician—who first rose to fame playing the organ and saxophone for The Band—died at the age of 87 on Jan. 21.
His longtime friend and colleague Jan Haust told Rolling Stone of his passing, “Yesterday was a day of music and hand-holding.”
Valerie Durant via Getty Images
Leslie Charleson, who spent nearly 50 years on the beloved General Hospital, died in January, the show’s executive producer Frank Valentini confirmed. She was 79.
Victor Decolongon/Getty Images
The soap opera actor—who appeared on Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and Jane the Virgin—passed away Jan. 16 at the age of 39.
Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
The famed British actress who was best known for her roles in 1960’s The Entertainer and 1991’s Encahnted April—for which she earned an Oscar nomination—died on Jan. 16 at the age of 95.
Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
The former child star—who appeared in the films Return From Witch Mountain, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and The Swarm—died at the age of 60 of natural causes in Nov. 2024, his daughter confirmed in January.
Andy Butterton – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
The Celebrity Big Brother star passed away at 46, his management company confirmed Jan. 16. His cause of death was not shared.
Instagram/Chris O’Donnell
The TikToker died by suicide on Jan. 11, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed to E! News. He was 31.
Steve Snowden/Getty Images
The tenor half of the sensatioal soul duo, Sam & Dave, died at 89 on Friday, Jan. 10, his wife and manager Joyce Moore confirmed. He died following a surgery in Coral Gables, Florida.
Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic
The Twin Peaks creator died at age 78, per a Jan. 16 announcement on his Facebook: “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist.”
The former member of pop group the Nolans—in which she performed alongside her sisters—died Jan. 15 at the age of 65 almost two decades after being diagnosed with breast cancer, her sister confirmed.
(Photo by Gai Terrell/Redferns/Getty Images)
The oldest member of the famous folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary died at 86 following a battle with bladder cancer on Jan. 7.
“There is Peter Yarrow the folk activist legend,” his children Christopher Yarrow and Bethany Yarrow wrote in a December post to Instagram. “And then there is the man, a deeply compasssionate man, who changed the lives of so many people in very personal ways.”
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The “Gimme Little Sign” singer died of natural causes at his home in Moreno Valley, California on Jan. 3, his manger and assistant Manny Gallegos confirmed to TMZ. He was 83.
“He went in his sleep peacefully,” he told the New York Post. “The love that he gave us, Good took him the same way.”
Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
The co-founder of the Missoni fashion house passed away “peacefully” on Jan. 1 at the age of 93, the company confirmed in a statement to NBC News.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The 73-year-old brother of Marie Osmond and Donny Osmond and former member of singing groups The Osmond Brothers and The Osmonds, died on New Year’s Day after suffering a stroke, his family announced.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 1 winner—real name James Lee Williams—died at age 32, the performer’s rep said Jan. 5.
Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.
