The Firesign Theatre's Phil Austin Passes Away

Phil Austin, member of the comedy troupe The Firesign Theatre, died today, June 19, 2015 at the age of 74. The company posted a message on their website today, which reads:

"Nick Danger has left the office.

"Our dear friend and Firesign Theatre partner for over 50 years succumbed to various forms of cancer early this morning at his home on Fox Island, Washington, with his wife Oona and their six beloved dogs at his side. It is a tremendous and unexpected loss, and we will miss him greatly; but in keeping with his wishes, there will be no public memorial.

"Rest in Peace, Regnad Kcin."

Austin joined the staff of KPFK radio in Los Angeles after graduating from Bowdoin College and UCLA. At the station, Austin met David Ossman and Peter Bergman. The three men, along with Bergman's friend Phil Proctor, went on to create the comedy troupe The Firesign Theatre.

Their surreal humor took off on live radio and later on record albums in the 1960s and 1970s. The Firesign Theatre recorded around 30 albums. Among them were Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers, Everything You Know Is Wrong and more.

Austin is well known for voicing Firesign's signature character, detective Nick Danger, Third Eye.