Jimmy Kimmel Mourns Death of Beloved Colleague of 30 Years
The Daily Beast • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to Rodney Muñoz, the Emmy-winning costume designer for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" who died at age 60, describing him as a talented, hardworking, and caring friend.
- Muñoz had battled serious health issues following a severe case of COVID-19 during the pandemic, which led to him being placed in a coma and on a ventilator.
- Muñoz worked with Kimmel for nearly 30 years, creating costumes for sketches and styling Kimmel for the 2018 Oscars, earning a Creative Arts Emmy in 2010 for his work.
- This marks the second loss in Kimmel’s close circle within a year, following the death of longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III in November 2025.
