Brandon Smiley, the oldest son of comedian Rickey Smiley, has tragically died suddenly at just 32 years old.
Rickey Smiley announced the death of his son Brandon in a social media post.
According to the post, Brandon Smiley passed away on Sunday morning.
No cause of death or any other details were given.
“I have bad news this morning,” Smiley said in a video posted to his Instagram account.
“I’m on my way to the airport to get to Birmingham.
“I just wanted everybody to pray for me, pray for our family.
“My son, Brandon Smiley, has passed away this morning.”
WATCH:
Our prayers and condolences go out to Rickey Smiley who revealed his oldest son Brandon Smiley, passed away earlier this morning 🙏🏽🕊️ pic.twitter.com/FjEUYoN3q2
— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) January 29, 2023
“I’m about to go get on a flight and try to get to Birmingham,” he continued.
“Lord, have mercy. Jesus.
“I just want all our cousins and different family members to pray, be strong. I’m okay.
“Pray for my son’s mother, and my son’s siblings.
“Pray for my son and my daughter, everybody that was raised with Brandon.”
“I hate to announce this, I just want to give it to you before you hear it in the streets,” Smiley added.
“My son, Brandon Smiley, passed away this morning.
“Life comes with a whole bunch of twists and turns.”
“Now I see what my granddaddy went through and why he felt the way he felt,” the radio show host added.
“My granddaddy went through this sh*t with my dad, and somehow here I am, going through the same thing my grandparents went through,” he said.
“So just pray for our family.”
#BrandonSmiley pic.twitter.com/9ANZOWE5ZP
— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) January 30, 2023
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin reacted to the news of Smiley’s son’s death, writing on Twitter, “I’m devastated to hear that my friend @RickeySmiley has lost his son Brandon.”
“Rickey has given so much to our city; this is the time when we need to give back to him,” he added.
“Join me in wrapping our arms around him & his family during this difficult time.
“We’re praying for you, Rickey.”
I'm devastated to hear that my friend @RickeySmiley has lost his son Brandon.
Rickey has given so much to our city; this is the time when we need to give back to him. Join me in wrapping our arms around him & his family during this difficult time. We're praying for you, Rickey.
— Randall Woodfin (@randallwoodfin) January 29, 2023
Smiley is the host of the syndicated radio program, The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.
The comedian is also a co-host of the television show Dish Nation.
Over the years, viewers were able to get to know Smiley and his family members through the Rickey Smiley For Real reality series.
