Jimmy Kimmel Mourns Talk Show’s Costume Designer Rodney Muñoz’s Death At 60: “A Huge And Generous Heart”
Jimmy Kimmel has paid tribute to Rodney Muñoz, the Emmy-winning costume designer for his late-night talk show, who died on 2 October at the age of 60 after nearly three decades on the programme. His death, following serious health complications from COVID and other illnesses, represents a significant loss for the show and the broader television community. Kimmel's heartfelt tribute underscores the profound impact that behind-the-scenes creative professionals like Muñoz have on the success and longevity of television productions.
Muñoz, born in Los Angeles in 1966, was a trained costume designer who graduated from New York University with BFA and MFA degrees in 1993. Before his nearly 30-year tenure on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (which began when the show launched in 2003), he worked on The Late Show with David Letterman from 1995 to 2000, along with various other television and theatre productions. His contributions to Kimmel's show earned him a Primetime Emmy Award in 2010 for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety/Music Program or Special.
- Rodney Muñoz, Emmy-winning costume designer for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, dies at 60
- He designed costumes for the show for nearly 30 years since its 2003 launch
- Kimmel pays tribute, praising his talent and generous heart in Instagram post
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Rodney Muñoz was the costume designer for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, an American late-night talk show that airs five nights a week. He held this position for nearly three decades, from the show's launch in 2003 until his death on 2 October at the age of 60.
Muñoz was a trained costume designer who studied at New York University and won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2010 for his work on the show. Before joining Kimmel's programme, he worked as a costume designer on The Late Show with David Letterman from 1995 to 2000, along with various other television and theatre productions.
Costume designers shape how television programmes look through the clothes and styling of performers and the visual presentation of sets. Muñoz's nearly three-decade tenure on one of America's most prominent talk shows demonstrates the important role that behind-the-scenes creative professionals play in successful television productions.