Rising comic found dead at 35

LOS ANGELES, July 13 (UPI) -- Los Angeles authorities awaited autopsy results on Freddy Soto, a 35-year-old rising Latino comic who died just hours after wowing a crowd with his act.

Soto, 35, was found dead at a friend's Los Angeles apartment Sunday morning, just hours after receiving a standing ovation at Hollywood's Laugh Factory, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

"He was on the cusp of becoming successful," said comedian Paul Rodriguez, who performed a 5-minute tribute to Soto on Monday night at the Laugh Factory. "Sooner or later the world would have known who he was."

Shortly after moving to Los Angeles 15 years ago, he started working as a driver for comic legend Richard Pryor. He also worked as a doorman at the Comedy Store before hitting the club circuit as a performer.

He most recently appeared in the 2004 film "Spanglish" as a translator.

He is survived by his wife, Cory, and a 3-year-old daughter, Cruz.