Smash Mouth Frontman Steve Harwell, Known for the Ubiquitous Pop-Rock Hit ‘All Star,’ Dies at 56 

Smash Mouth, with singer Steve Harwell, performs at the after-party for "Dr. Seuss' Cat In The Hat" at the Universal Studios Cinema on November 8, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images North America / AFP)
Smash Mouth, with singer Steve Harwell, performs at the after-party for "Dr. Seuss' Cat In The Hat" at the Universal Studios Cinema on November 8, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images North America / AFP)
TT
20

Smash Mouth Frontman Steve Harwell, Known for the Ubiquitous Pop-Rock Hit ‘All Star,’ Dies at 56 

Smash Mouth, with singer Steve Harwell, performs at the after-party for "Dr. Seuss' Cat In The Hat" at the Universal Studios Cinema on November 8, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images North America / AFP)
Smash Mouth, with singer Steve Harwell, performs at the after-party for "Dr. Seuss' Cat In The Hat" at the Universal Studios Cinema on November 8, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images North America / AFP)

Steve Harwell, the longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth that was behind the megahit “All Star” has died. He was 56.

The band’s manager, Robert Hayes, said Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably” Monday morning surrounded by family and friends at his home in Boise, Idaho. The cause of death was acute liver failure, Hayes said in a statement.

Smash Mouth is also known for hits including “Walkin' on the Sun” and “Then The Morning Comes."

“Steve Harwell was a true American Original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle,” Hayes said. "Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom.”

“His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition,” Hayes said, adding: “Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out.”

“He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him,” he said.

Born in California in 1967, Harwell performed in a rap group called F.O.S. (Freedom of Speech) before forming Smash Mouth in 1994. The band released two platinum albums on Interscope Records, their ska-fueled 1997 debut and 1999's “Astro Lounge.”

The second album featured some of the band's biggest hits, including the Grammy-nominated, platinum single “All Star,” which appeared in the movie “Shrek" alongside their cover of the Monkees' “I'm a Believer.”

Humor was a driving force behind Smash Mouth's success, and at the forefront was Harwell's playful alt-rock voice and persona. He made a cameo in 2001 comedy film “Rat Race,” and had a well-documented friendship with the Food Network chef and host Guy Fieri.

On Monday, tributes began pouring in. Fieri wrote on Instagram: “To my brutha Steve RIP. Today is a sad day, I will miss my friend.”

NSYNC 's Chris Kirkpatrick and Joey Fatone also shared short homages.

“I’m truly sorry for the difficult battle you had to fight,” Kirkpatrick posted on Instagram. “You were an amazing soul and will be deeply missed.”

Fatone said he had known Harwell for a long time.

“Opened for NSync and even was my wedding singer at my wedding,” wrote Fatone. “Hopefully people out there that are dealing with addiction. get the right help that they need.”

“Today” host Carson Daly published a two-part statement on Instagram, detailing the first time he met Harwell in 1995, when he was a DJ on JOME in San Jose and Smash Mouth was a new band.

“In better days, Steve was a force of a frontman & lived the life of 50 men,” Daly wrote. “He brought joy to millions with his music and his legacy will thankfully live on.”

“Rest in peace Steve Harwell,” comedian Tom Green tweeted. “I remember hanging with you back in the MTV days you were always super cool and an amazing talent - my condolences to your family and friends.”

Harwell retired from performing and left Smash Mouth in 2021. The band continued to tour with Zach Goode as the singer. Smash Mouth released a statement at the time saying Harwell had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy eight years earlier and had suffered “nonstop serious medical setbacks including heart failure as well as acute Wernicke Encephalopathy."

Hayes had released a statement on Sunday saying Harwell was in hospice care.

Harwell will be cremated in Boise and buried in San Jose, California, alongside his mother, Hayes said.



Nate Bargatze Will Host the 2025 Emmy Awards

Nate Bargatze Will Host the 2025 Emmy Awards
TT
20

Nate Bargatze Will Host the 2025 Emmy Awards

Nate Bargatze Will Host the 2025 Emmy Awards

Stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze will host the 77th Emmy Awards, CBS announced Wednesday.
One of the most popular stand-ups currently working, Bargatze will emcee the Sept. 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
While the Oscars have found success with Conan O'Brien, set to return in 2026, and the Golden Globes with returning host Nikki Glaser, the Emmys have had a harder time finding a regular host, The Associated Press reported. The last four Emmys have been hosted by Eugene and Dan Levy, Anthony Anderson, Kenan Thompson and Cedric the Entertainer.
“Nate is one of the hottest comics in the business with a remarkable and hilarious brand of comedy that deeply resonates with multi-generational audiences around the globe,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy.
Bargatze, while yet to emcee a major awards show, is among the most sought-after entertainers, releasing three Netflix specials including December's “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” and hosting “Saturday Night Live.” With more than 1.2 million tickets sold in 2024, according to Pollstar, he was the top-earning comedian of the year.
“It’s a huge honor to be asked to host such an iconic awards show and I’m beyond excited to work with CBS to create a night that can be enjoyed by families around the world,” Bargatze said.
Last year's Emmys, hosted by the father-son Levy duo, reached 6.87 million average viewers, according to Nielsen, up 54% from the previous year.