John Crawley, the beloved social media personality known as KingBeardX to millions of followers, passed away Monday at a Mississippi hospital after battling severe breathing complications.
The 47-year-old content creator died at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo following two weeks of intensive care treatment.
Crawley, who accumulated over 2 million followers on TikTok, was famous for his humorous reactions to food-eating videos.
Hospitalization and Declining Health
The social media star was initially admitted to the hospital in early August after experiencing severe breathing difficulties. Medical staff placed him on a ventilator when his oxygen levels dropped to a dangerous 66 percent.
Anthony Caruso, Crawley’s close friend and former podcast co-host, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical expenses. He revealed that doctors had inserted a chest tube due to the severity of Crawley’s condition.
Despite intensive medical intervention, Crawley suffered cardiac arrest and died surrounded by family members.
A Digital Comedy Legacy
Known for his distinctive beard and infectious personality, Crawley entertained audiences with his trademark reactions to unusual eating habits. His videos regularly garnered millions of views across multiple platforms.
The creator also maintained a presence on Cameo, where he delivered personalized video messages to fans. His last TikTok post was published on July 22.
Previously operating under the username Pimpmunkx, Crawley had built a loyal fanbase spanning over 3.5 million followers across all social media platforms.
Financial Struggles Behind the Fame
Caruso’s fundraising efforts highlighted a troubling reality for many content creators. Crawley lacked health insurance and served as his family’s primary income source.
The GoFundMe campaign, originally intended for medical bills, will now assist with funeral expenses and support Crawley’s surviving family members.
Tonya Palmer, Crawley’s cousin, announced his death on Facebook, writing: “With family by his side John E Crawley passed away.”
James Steele, funeral director at Glenfield Funeral Home in New Albany, Mississippi, praised Crawley’s character. “John was a good guy who lit up a lot of people’s worlds,” Steele told reporters.
