Things aren't going so well for Piers Morgan lately. He's facing new questions about his role in the News Corp. hacking scandal after his name surfaced in Paul McMullan's testimony before Parliament, his CNN show 'Piers Morgan Live' fell to an all-time ratings low in November, and on Tuesday night he stumbled into an epic blunder when he mistakenly referred to comedian Patrice O'Neal, who died of a stroke on Tuesday, as a woman.

While talking to Dane Cook, Morgan tried to hit a somber note when he said it had been a "sad day for comedy with the death of Patrice O'Neal, who I know that you knew. She died of a stroke today ... I want to look a quick look at a clip of Patrice on Jimmy Fallon to remind everyone just how funny she was."

Patrice O'Neal's untimely death at the age of 41 has left the world of comedy in mourning. Since the news broke Tuesday a flood of tributes to the comedian have poured out from TV stars and celebrities including Charlie Sheen, Sarah Silverman, Questlove, Dane Cook, Ricky Gervais and Kevin Nealon.

Plus, a Comedy Central spokesman told TMZ that the network is "broken up" by the news and will pay tribute by re-airing O'Neal's stand-up special 'Elephant in the Room' tonight.

O'Neal's last national TV performance was at the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen, and his mocking of Sheen was considered to be one of the highlights of the show. Last night Sheen took to Twitter to pay tribute: "The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man today. Patrice had that rare 'light' around him and inside of him. I only knew him for the few days leading up the Roast. Yet I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent. My tears today are for the tremendous loss to his true friends and loving family."

Stand-up comedian Patrice O'Neal, who appeared on Comedy Central's Roasts, 'The Office,' and 'Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn,' has passed away after suffering a stroke in October, according to TMZ. O'Neal was 41 years old.

The 'Opie and Anthony' radio show, where O'Neal was a frequent guest, confirmed the sad news on Twitter. "Yes it's true that our pal Patrice O'Neal has passed away. The funniest and best thinker I've ever known PERIOD."

O'Neal's friend Jim Norton had reported the initial news of his stroke on 'Opie and Anthony' two months ago. "We don't know how he is. We don't know how he's going to be. I didn't want to do this by myself. I wish we had more news for you."

The comedian's last national TV performance was at the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen, where his diabetes served as the butt of several jokes. You can watch the video below.

We'll have more on this story as it develops.

Stand-up comedian Patrice O'Neal, 41, suffered a stroke last Wednesday, comic Jim Norton announced on the Opie and Anthony Show.

"We wanted it to come from us." Norton said, according to
LaughSpin. He was joined on the show by Colin Quinn, Robert Kelly, Rich Vos and Keith Robinson "We don't know how he is. We don't know how he's going to be. I didn't want to do this by myself. I wish we had more news for you."

O'Neal's family has requested that fans respect the comedian's privacy, but set up an email address to receive well-wishes: loveforpatrice@gmail.com.