Howard Stern’s longtime confidante and stylist Ralph Cirella dies at 58 after battle with lymphoma: ‘A trustworthy, dear friend’
Howard Stern’s longtime confidant and stylist Ralph Cirella died Tuesday at age 58 after a battle with lymphoma.
Stern, 69, announced the death of Cirella, a regular caller and guest on his radio show for more than three decades, on his SiriusXM show Wednesday, saying his “heart gave out” during a medical procedure.
“Ralph was a trusted and dear friend who made me laugh every time I was with him,” Stern said of his late friend.
Stern said he was upset that Cirella went for a long time without health insurance; that Cirella “didn’t take care of himself”; and that he waited too long to take action against the “curable and curable” ailment with which he was struggling.
Stern said he was “just so upset and so angry” about Cirella’s passing, adding: “I think that’s the hardest part of loving someone, when you lose them.”
Ralph Cirella, Howard Stern’s longtime confidant and stylist, died Tuesday at age 58 after a battle with lymphoma. The picture shows New York in June 2010.
Stern, 69, announced Cirella’s death on his SiriusXM show Wednesday, saying his “heart gave out” during a medical procedure. Pictured in 2015, New York.
The radio icon continued: “Lord knows I loved Ralph. Last night my wife told me, “You and Ralph have a secret language,” and it’s true… we had great chemistry and we had a great friendship, and Ralph was one of my brothers. In fact, I began to think of Ralph as family.”
Stern noted that Cirella was instrumental in his crossing paths with his future wife Beth Ostrosky, 51, saying he convinced Sterl to attend the party where they met. Stern said, “He was the reason I met Beth.”
Cirella was also close to the late TV producer Sam Simon and actor John Stamos, who wrote an emotional tribute to Cirella on Instagram, calling him a “one-of-a-kind soul.”
Stamos, 60, said: “When we met in the old days, he was doing magic as a makeup artist for the Howard Stern show on Channel 9.” I remember well how he turned Howard into a dead ringer for Larry King, demonstrating his exceptional talent and creativity.
“From that day on we became friends for life, I just wanted him to live longer.”
Stamos said Cirella “had enormous untapped potential, but he struggled to find the motivation to fully realize it – a painful reality we have all witnessed.”
“It serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of not only following our dreams, but seeing them through.”
The Full House actor concluded his statement by saying, “My heart aches at the thought of Ralph leaving this world alone, never having experienced the deep love he undoubtedly deserved… my dear friend, I will be very miss you”. I love you Ralphie boy. Rest in peace.’
Cirella was known for his caustic wit when calling into popular radio shows, often engaging in confrontations with callers and employees in an entertaining manner. Pictured is New York in 2016.
Cirella was a regular caller and guest on Stern’s radio show for over three decades.
Cirella was also close to actor John Stamos, who wrote an emotional tribute to Cirella on Instagram, calling him a “one-of-a-kind soul.”
Stamos said: “My dear friend, I will miss you very much. I love you Ralphie boy. Rest in peace’
‘Star Trek’ icon George Takei posted a memorial for Sirella and said he ‘will be missed’
A number of other Stern Show and radio personalities, past and present, took to Twitter to remember Cirella.
Star Trek icon George Takei tweeted: “My condolences to the Cyrells, and to Howard and the entire Stern family. Ralph Cirella was a wonderful and compassionate member of our community. He will be missed.
A number of other Stern Show personalities past and present took to Twitter to remember Cirella, known for his caustic wit when he called into the popular radio show.
Scott “The Engineer” Salem said: “I’m in shock over the passing of Ralph Cirella, my condolences to his family and @sternshow RIP”
“Stuttering” John Melendez said, “RIP Ralph Cirella,” while J.D. Harmeyer used Cirella’s trademark coined by late Stern Show regular Eric Lynch: “Bye bye.”
Other radio personalities, including Bubba the Love Sponge and Gregg “Opie” Hughes, expressed their condolences for Cirella.
“Damn it, Ralph Cirella from the Howard Stern Show is dead. This is very sad news for Howard and his fans. Rest in peace #ralphcirella,” Opie said, while Bubba said Cirella “passed away too soon.”
A number of fans of the long-running radio show shared their thoughts and memories of Cyrell following the news of his passing.
“Just upset about the loss of Ralph Cirella,” one user said. “I never met this guy, but for some reason I loved him like my own. I honestly feel this way about the entire @sternshow team.”
A number of fans of the long-running radio show shared their thoughts and memories of Cyrell following the news of his passing.
Another said: “Howard Sterla fans either loved Ralph Cirella or hated Ralph Cirella. I loved Ralph. This fucking sucks.
One fan said: “I’ve been a Howard Stern fan since the early 90s. This morning I am sitting in the car with tears in my eyes. Radio really does create a family. Rest in peace, Ralph Cirella.
One user said of Cirella: “Terribly young, his voice was controversial, but I always thought he was a decent man at heart.”