Actor and comedian Rickey Smiley announced the passing of his son, Brandon Smiley, through a post on Instagram Sunday.
The news shocked the public, as Smiley shared the information with a heavy heart, asking for prayers for himself and his family.
Brandon Smiley was a fellow comedian and actor who appeared on his father’s TV One show “Rickey Smiley For Real.”
He was 32 years old and is survived by his 3-year-old daughter, Storm, and his mother Brenda, along with his brothers Malik, 21, and sisters D’Essence, 25, Taylor, 22, and Aaryn, 21.
In the post, Smiley did not specify the cause of death but asked for people to pray for him and his family during this difficult time.
“I just had bad news this morning,” said Smiley in an Instagram video. “I’m on my way to the airport to get to Birmingham. I want everybody to pray for me, pray for our family. Our son Brandon Smiley has passed away this morning. Lord have mercy, Jesus.”
The grieving father, 54, added,
“Pray for Brandon’s mother and his father Taurus and his sister Taylor, and everybody. I hate to announce this, but I just want to give it to you before you hear it in the streets.”
He also shared a meme that read:
“May your battles keep you near the cross, may your struggles show that you need God, May your battles end the way it should, and MAY YOUR BAD DAYS PROVE THAT GOD IS GOOD.”
Just hours before the news of his passing, a video was shared on social media showing Brandon smiling and laughing alongside his partner Brooke Antonette, who captioned the video saying,
“He’s giving what’s supposed to be gave 🤣 Can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us!!”
The loss of Brandon Smiley has deeply impacted the entertainment community, and our thoughts and prayers are with Rickey Smiley and his family during this difficult time.
