NEW YORK, NY. (THECOUNT) — Ronnie Benjamin, better known as “Big Black,” a memorable personality from Howard Stern’s Wack Pack, has died at age 64, according to the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Medical Examiner’s Office said Benjamin died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition in which fatty plaque accumulates inside artery walls, causing them to narrow and harden. The medical examiner classified the death as resulting from natural causes.
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The medical examiner’s office did not disclose when or where Benjamin died. No additional circumstances surrounding his death were released.
Benjamin was known to Stern’s audience through his appearances on The Howard Stern Show, where his blunt and often unfiltered answers made him a memorable guest despite not being a regular on the program.
During his appearances, Stern frequently engaged Benjamin in extended conversations about his personal life, including his relationships and sex life. Benjamin’s exchanges with Stern and co-host Robin Quivers became part of the appeal for listeners who followed the show’s long-running roster of unusual and outspoken personalities.
Benjamin also appeared alongside fellow Wack Pack member Lawrence Coward, whom Stern famously dubbed the “King of All Blacks.” The two were among the personalities who became associated with Stern’s distinctive brand of radio entertainment.
Born in the Bronx, Benjamin had an academic background that stood in sharp contrast to the persona listeners encountered on the Stern show. He attended the Bronx High School of Science, commonly known as Bronx Science, and was a member of Mensa, the international organization for people who meet qualifying intelligence-test standards.
Despite that background, Benjamin later relied on public assistance. His candid discussions about his circumstances and personal life became a recurring source of fascination for Stern and his audience.
Benjamin’s appearances reflected the unusual relationship Stern developed with members of the Wack Pack, a collection of personalities associated with The Howard Stern Show over decades. While Benjamin was not a frequent regular, Stern would sometimes keep him in the studio for lengthy interviews, allowing conversations to develop around Benjamin’s candid observations and personal experiences.
His death marks the loss of another personality associated with an era of Stern’s radio career that produced a large cast of recognizable Wack Pack figures. Benjamin was remembered by listeners for his distinctive voice, direct answers and willingness to discuss subjects many guests would have avoided.
The New York City Medical Examiner’s determination provides the only publicly reported cause and manner information at this time. The office has not released additional details about Benjamin’s final days.
Benjamin was 64.
Benjamin was born in the Bronx, one of New York City’s five boroughs, and his connection to Stern’s nationally known radio program made him recognizable to listeners far beyond his native New York.
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