Rodney Muñoz obit

Rodney Muñoz, Emmy-Winning ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Costume Designer, Dies at 60

"He was a funny, surly, hard-working man whose tough exterior hid a huge and generous heart," Jimmy Kimmel wrote of Muñoz, who worked on the late night show for nearly three decades. 

He was not on the list.

Rodney Muñoz, the Emmy-winning costume designer for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has died. He was 60.

Muñoz died Oct. 2, his friend Joe Dietl announced in a Facebook post. The cause of death was not immediately available, but Dietl said that Muñoz had contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic, was put into a coma and ventilated and had been dealing with health issues ever since.

On Friday, Jimmy Kimmel penned a tribute on Instagram, writing, “Our dear friend and Costume Designer for almost 30 years, Rodney Muñoz, has sadly passed away.”

“Rodney was one of the most talented people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He was a funny, surly, hard-working man whose tough exterior hid a huge and generous heart. Rodney helped many of us through difficult times. He was a devoted son, brother and Uncle; a great baker and a caring friend. No man saw me in my underpants more.”

Muñoz began working on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2002, and he earned his Primetime Emmy for outstanding costumes for a variety/music program or a special in 2010.

He attended New York University from 1988-93, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in costume design for stage and screen. After his studies, Muñoz joined Late Show With David Letterman, where he worked as a costume designer until 2000.

Before Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he worked as a costume designer on projects including Champions of Magic 2, Can’t Stop Dancing and Popstars and as a wardrobe stylist on Fear Factor. He also worked on the costuming for Dietl’s web series Where the Bears Are.

Muñoz additionally styled Kimmel when he hosted the 2018 Academy Awards.

He is survived by his sister Yvonne Roman and her sister Julie Emrik, and nephews Jacob and Jason Roman.

“We will miss Rodney as he joins his beloved parents in whatever comes next,” Kimmel wrote.

Oct. 10, 4:00 p.m. Updated to include a list of survivors.