Howard Stern’s longtime confidante and stylist Ralph Cirella dies at 58 after battle with lymphoma: ‘A trustworthy, dear friend’
Howard Stern‘s longtime confidante and stylist Ralph Cirella died Tuesday at the age of 58 after battling lymphoma.
Stern, 69, announced the death of Cirella – who had been a regular caller and guest on his radio show for more than three decades – on his SiriusXM show on Wednesday, saying that his ‘heart gave out’ amid a medical procedure.
‘Ralph was a trustworthy, dear friend who made me laugh every time I was with him,’ Stern said of his late friend.
Stern said that he had been frustrated by Cirella going without health insurance for stretches of time; that Cirella ‘didn’t take care of himself;’ and that he waited too long to take action against the ‘curable and treatable’ ailment he was battling.
Stern said he had ‘just have been so sad and so angry’ over Cirella’s passing, adding, ‘I think this is the toughest part of loving someone – when you lose them.’
The radio icon continued: ‘Lord knows I loved Ralph. My wife said to me last night, “You and Ralph have a secret language” and it’s true … we had a great chemistry, and we had a great friendship, and Ralph was one of my bros. In fact, I came to think of Ralph as family.’
Stern credited Cirella as being instrumental in him crossing paths with his future wife Beth Ostrosky, 51, saying that he persuaded Stern to attend the party where they met. Said Stern: ‘He was the reason I met Beth.’
Cirella was also close with late TV producer Sam Simon and actor John Stamos, who took to Instagram with an emotional memorial for Cirella, calling him ‘a one-of-a-kind soul.’
Stamos, 60, said, ‘When met in the old days where he worked his magic as a makeup artist for Howard Stern’s Channel 9 show. I can vividly recall how he transformed Howard into a perfect replica of Larry King, showcasing his exceptional talent and creativity.
‘From the day forward, we were life long friends, I just wished he lived longer.’
Stamos said that Cirella ‘possessed an abundance of untapped potential, but he grappled with finding the motivation to fully realize it – a painful reality that we all witnessed.
‘It serves as a poignant reminder of life’s unpredictability and the importance of not only pursuing our dreams but also seeing them through to the end.’
The Full House actor wrapped up his statement in saying, ‘My heart aches at the thought of Ralph departing this world alone, without ever experiencing the deep love he undeniably deserved … my dear friend, I will miss you so much. I love you, Ralphie boy. Rest in peace.’
