Irwin Barker facts for kids

Irwin Barker (born June 13, 1952 – died June 21, 2010) was a talented Canadian comedian and writer. He was known for his clever writing on popular TV shows like This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Rick Mercer Report. Irwin Barker was recognized for his work, receiving nominations for four Gemini Awards as a writer. He was also nominated for a Gemini Award for his stand-up comedy performance at the Halifax Comedy Festival in 2005.

Barker's writing skills earned him three nominations for the Writers' Guild of Canada Screenwriter's awards, and he won this award in 2008. He was also a regular writer and contributor for CBC Radio's funny show, The Debaters.

Using Humor to Cope

In June 2007, Irwin Barker was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called leiomyosarcoma. Even with this serious news, he kept his sense of humor. He famously joked that his doctor gave him twelve months to live, but his lawyer could "get it down to eight."

After his diagnosis, Barker became an inspiring speaker. He shared how he used humor to help him deal with his illness. He performed at many events to raise money for cancer research. He also spoke at conferences about cancer and how to make patients comfortable (this is called palliative care).

His Documentary: That's My Time

The first year of Irwin Barker's cancer treatment was featured in a CTV documentary. It was called That's My Time. This film first showed at the 2008 Atlantic Film Festival. It was then shown across Canada in September 2008.

People loved Barker's talks about comedy and cancer. His message was very powerful. He once said, "Cancer has my body but not my spirit, and I'll continue to make jokes, not so much about cancer, but in spite of it."

His Legacy

Irwin Barker passed away in Toronto on June 21, 2010. He died from his cancer shortly after his 58th birthday. He is remembered for his humor, his writing, and his inspiring message about facing challenges with a positive spirit.