Dan McQuade
Dan McQuade | |
|---|---|
Dan McQuade reading to his son, Simon | |
| Born | January 27, 1983 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 28, 2026 (aged 43) |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Spouse |
Jan Cohen (m. 2019) |
Dan McQuade (January 27, 1983 – January 28, 2026) was an American journalist and Philadelphia-based writer and community figure. He is best known for recording and reporting on a 2014 comedy performance by Hannibal Buress that referenced longstanding sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, a video that circulated widely online.[1]
Early life and education
McQuade was born in Philadelphia on January 27, 1983. His father was a sportswriter and his mother was a financial analyst. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 with a degree in journalism. McQuade was active on the school’s newspaper[2] as sports editor, columnist, and managing editor of 34th Street Magazine. He won two Keystone Press Awards in college.[1]
Career
After college McQuade began his career as a freelance journalist, mainly blogging for the Philadelphia Weekly. His blog was titled "Philadelphia Will Do", a reference to a W. C. Fields line about the city's perceived inferiority.[3]
Over the following decade he freelanced for numerous outlets. At Comcast.com he was a producer, editor, and writer, covering local sports. Other endeavors included writing for Sports Illustrated, The Village Voice, New York Magazine, and Philadelphia Magazine.[4] In 2014 he joined Philly Mag where he led the digital news operation and wrote a weekly blog.[3] In 2017, he left the magazine and became a staff editor at Deadspin. He was part of mass resignations from the site in 2019 which occurred as a result of a mandate to publish only sports-related content.[5] In 2020, he co-founded Defector Media with many other former Deadspin writers and worked for the site until his death.[6]
Bill Cosby video
In October 2014, McQuade attended a performance by comedian Hannibal Buress at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia. During the set, Buress referenced longstanding allegations that Bill Cosby had committed sexual assault, which at the time had received limited public attention. McQuade recorded part of the performance on his mobile phone and later published the video along with an accompanying article. The video spread widely online, contributing to renewed public attention to the sexual assault allegations against Cosby.[3]
Writing style
His writing was recognized for its quirky, humorous, and authoritative tone.[7] He had a deep connection to Philadelphia, and wrote stories about "the tics and quirks and peculiarities that make Philadelphians Philadelphians," including hoagies, accents, and parking. His work often balanced coverage of serious social issues and politics with humor and insight.[3]
Personal life and death
In 2025, McQuade posted an account of his battle with cancer, a neuroendocrine tumor discovered in 2024.[8] He died on January 28, 2026, one day after his 43rd birthday.[7]
In 2019, McQuade married Jan Cohen, whom he met online, and they had one son.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Miles, Gary (January 30, 2026). "Dan McQuade, award-winning writer, tireless community activist, and 'Philadelphia institution,' has died at 43". Inquirer.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ Longman, Jeré (January 30, 2026). "Dan McQuade, a Catalyst in Cosby's Downfall, Dies at 43". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Howard, Brian (January 29, 2026). "Dan McQuade Got Philly Like No One Else". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ Kinkead, Kevin (January 29, 2026). "RIP Dan McQuade". Crossing Broad. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ Tornoe, Rob (October 31, 2019). "Deadspin is no longer Deadspin after more writers walk out over 'stick to sports' edict". Inquirer.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ Keeley, Sean (January 29, 2026). "Tributes pour in for Deadspin, Defector editor Dan McQuade, dead at 43". Awful Announcing. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ a b Ivey, Jillian Ashley Blair (January 31, 2026). "Remembering Dan McQuade, a Philly journalist like no other". Broad Street Review. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ^ McQuade, Dan (September 3, 2025). "My Life With An Uncommon Cancer". Defector.com. Retrieved February 1, 2026.