Ralph Cirella, Howard’s close friend and longtime stylist, has died after a battle with a rare lymphoma. He was 58.
On Wednesday, a distraught Howard spoke about the deep affection he feels for his late confidante. “I think that’s the hardest part of loving someone – when you lose them. God knows I loved Ralph,” he said. “My wife said to me last night, ‘You and Ralph have a secret language,’ and it’s true…we had great chemistry and a great friendship, and Ralph was one of my brothers. In fact, I considered Ralph family.”
Ralph in 2004
Ralph first attended the Stern Show on WNBC with his mother in 1985 and initially worked with Howard on a penis doll for a New Year’s Eve event at the old Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden. Despite some technical difficulties, he was eventually hired to do special effects on The Channel 9 Show, Howard’s legendary late-night variety program. “He was an incredibly talented guy,” emphasized Howard. “Ralph made these elaborate prosthetics like in the movies or like on Saturday Night Live, and he did it for zero money.”
When Ralph Howard received constructive criticism of his appearance, he became his stylist. “The most fun I had with Ralph was when…we were going through my closet, he was picking out my clothes…and then he said, ‘Okay, take off your pants now,'” Howard recalled, laughing. “It’s just so stupid and it’s killing me, I’ll never hear that again.”
George Takei and Ralph in 2006 Photo: The Howard Stern Show
He also contributed to an aspect of the Stern Show that continues to this day. “Ralph is the reason I always start the show with ‘Hey now,'” Howard admitted, before explaining that it was Ralph’s obsession with “The Larry Sanders Show” and constantly repeating the catchphrase that got him started . “It became so contagious that I started.”
Most importantly, Ralph helped introduce Howard to Beth. “The reason I met my wife was Ralph,” he said, before recounting the night his friend insisted on going to a party she was at. “I met the person I love most in this world, Beth.”
Ralph and Robin in 2008 Photo: The Howard Stern Show
Co-host Robin Quivers cited the time Ralph comforted her after a breakup as proof he was a “true friend.” “He just said, ‘Fuck that guy…you don’t feel bad about it for a second,'” she recalled. “He was just that guy…Ralph was Team Robin.”
Howard and Robin weren’t the only members of the Stern Show who had become close to Ralph over the years. “He was such a good guy. He was so nice [my wife] Mary and so kind to my kids,” executive producer Gary Dell’Abate told listeners.
Ralph’s long-time friend Chris Wilding became emotional as he thought about the things he would never see or do. “He really wanted to try out these Apple VR glasses… [and] “I’m sad he won’t see another Batman movie,” Chris said. He also lamented the fact that he didn’t see him at Ronnie Mund’s wedding. “I thought we would just get together and be friendly again,” Wilding said. “I really regret not reaching out to him.”
Ronnie, Ralph and King of All Blacks on air together in 2009
Meanwhile, Ronnie fondly remembered his and Ralph’s phone conversation about one of their favorite television shows, “Bosch.” “They just recently released another season of it… and I feel like he never got to see it,” Ronnie said. “It’s just so fucking sad, man.”
Employee Memet Walker said he and Ralph started out as bitter enemies nearly a decade ago, but eventually they found common ground and developed a close relationship. “I wanted to be like Ralph, so I thought it was really cool when we became friends later in life,” Memet said, before addressing a more practical concern. “I have his HBO password and I’m wondering: How long will this work?” he joked.
“I’m going to miss him terribly…rest in peace, Ralphie Boy,” Howard added. “I can’t believe we’re saying this, but this guy was my husband and he’s like the brother I never had.”