Rickey Smiley confirmed the death of his eldest son Brandon Smiley in an emotional Instagram video.
The radio show host, 54, took to social media to reveal his tragic loss.
The comedian told his 3.8 million Instagram followers that he was travelling to Birmingham and asked fans to pray for his loved ones.
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"I hate to announce this, but I just want to give it to you before you hear it in the streets," Smiley said in the heartbreaking video shared on Sunday. "My son Brandon Smiley has passed away this morning."
Smiley did not specify his son’s cause of death in the video, which was filmed as he was waiting for a car to pick him up to drive him to the airport.
"I just want all my cousins and different family members to pray, be strong, and I’m OK," Smiley said. "Pray for my son's mother and my son’s siblings, everybody that was raised with Brandon."
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The former Dish Nation contributor also alluded to previous tragedies in his family.
"Life come with a whole bunch of twist and turns," he said.
"Now I see what my granddaddy went through and why he felt the way he felt," Smiley shared with viewers. "My granddaddy went through this sh*t with my dad and somehow, here I am going through the same thing my grandparents went through. So just pray for our family."
Friends of The Rickey Smiley Show host shared their condolences in the comments.
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“Oh no! I’m so sorry for your loss. I love you & I’m praying for you!," said The Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kandi Burruss.
Reality TV star Yandy Smith said: “My God. I pray over this man, this family. Please comfort them the only way you and your angels can. I pray for peace over their spirits. God hold them all at this time.”
Fellow comedian and actor Mike Epps shared: “Praying for you Rick man.”
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And Grammy Award-winning Gospel musician Jonathan McReynolds penned: “Oh no! I love u man. Praying! May these bad days prove that God is still good.”
Empire actress Taraji P. Henson wrote: “Jesus!!!! I am so sorry.”
Actor and stand-up comedian Bill Bellamy also shared a tribute which read: “My brother we are praying for you and your family… what is going on in this world….. so many of these heartbreaking moments. My condolences to you and your family.”
Singer and television personality Tamar Braxton commented: “I’m so sorry friend.”
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The Rookie: Feds star Niecy Nash said: “I’m so sorry Rickey.”
Brandon was an actor and comedian just like his father.
He had also made appearances on the reality series Rickey Smiley For Real, which focused on Smiley as he juggled his career, fatherhood and personal life between his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia, where he works.
Hours after announcing his son's death, Smiley shared a clip from one of his son's stand-up performances from three years ago.
Topics: Celebrity
Gregory Robinson