Jean Shepherd Eulogizes Lenny Bruce. Lenny Memorial, August 1966. by SheckyGrey published on 2013-08-02T23:16:13Z Lenny Bruce died August 3rd, 1966 of a drug overdose. A memorial was held for Lenny Bruce in New York hosted by Paul Krassner, publisher of the Realist. It took place at Judson Memorial Church on August 12, 1966. Few comedians spoke. Instead, counterculture figures like Allen Ginsberg and the Fugs took to the mic. Radio WOR's Jean Shepherd, today best for the film A Christmas Story today, was at his height as a late night radio raconteur when he delivered this toast to the deceased. Genre Comedy