Rodney Muñoz

Rodney Muñoz was an American costume designer best known as the longtime wardrobe chief for Jimmy Kimmel and the show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." <cite index="2-1">Rodney Muñoz was a longtime Hollywood costume designer known for his work on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"</cite> He died on October 9, 2026, at the age of 60. <cite index="2-7">Rodney was 60</cite> at the time of his death, and <cite index="1-1">Jimmy Kimmel mourned the death of Rodney Muñoz, who served as his costume designer for 30 years</cite>.

Muñoz was born on September 14, 1966, in Los Angeles, California. <cite index="4-1">Rodney Munoz was born on September 14, 1966 in Los Angeles, California, USA</cite>. Little has been published about his upbringing, but industry records show he began working in costume design off Broadway in New York in the mid 1990s before moving into television. Before he joined Kimmel's show, <cite index="2-5">he designed costumes for David Letterman's late-night talk show on CBS</cite>, giving him a grounding in network late night television that he carried into the rest of his career.

Muñoz became the costume designer on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" soon after it launched and stayed with the program for the better part of three decades. <cite index="2-5">He worked at ABC Studios as a costume designer for nearly 24 years</cite>, dressing Kimmel for the show's nightly broadcasts as well as its elaborate recurring bits, including its annual Halloween costume specials. <cite index="2-6">He styled Jimmy for the Oscars and worked as a wardrobe stylist on Fear Factor</cite>, extending his work beyond late night into one of television's biggest live broadcasts and into reality competition programming. His work on the Kimmel show was formally recognized by his peers: he won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Music Program or a Special for his work on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" at the 2010 Creative Arts Emmys.

Kimmel announced the death himself, posting photographs of the two of them together over the years, some taken at Emmy ceremonies, and some showing Muñoz fitting Kimmel into elaborate costumes for the show, including a Snow White gown and a Mr. Potato Head suit. <cite index="1-4,1-5,1-6">"Our dear friend and Costume Designer for almost 30 years, Rodney Muñoz, has sadly passed away," Kimmel wrote. "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."</cite> <cite index="1-7">Kimmel described him as a devoted son, brother, and uncle, a great baker, and a caring friend, adding that no one had seen him in his underwear more than Muñoz had.</cite>

As of this writing, <cite index="2-3">the cause and manner of death are unclear</cite>, and no further details about where he died have been made public. <cite index="1-10">His death is the second publicly shared loss within the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" family in the last year</cite>, deepening the sense of grief among the show's staff. Admirers and colleagues from across late night television and the costume design community have paid tribute to his talent and his generosity behind the scenes, though a public funeral or memorial service has not yet been announced.