Hailey Tran
In May 2025, comedian, radio host, and reality TV star Rickey Smiley was hospitalized for three days for an unknown medical procedure. Smiley shared the news of his discharge and recovery on Facebook Live, expressing gratitude for his fans' prayers and the hospital staff's care. This was not Smiley's first health scare, as he had previously been hospitalized in December 2020, sharing a video from the hospital where he used a breathing apparatus. Smiley is known for his openness in discussing personal struggles, including his grief over the accidental overdose death of his son, Brandon, and his journey towards healing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Unknown procedure |
| Hospital stay duration | Three days |
| Post-discharge condition | Resting at home, medicated with morphine, bandage on right hand |
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What You'll Learn
Rickey Smiley's son, Brandon, died from an accidental overdose
In January 2023, Rickey Smiley's 32-year-old son Brandon passed away due to an accidental overdose. Brandon, an aspiring stand-up comic, had a years-long addiction to painkillers and died of fentanyl and ethanol toxicity. Smiley, a devout Christian, has been open about his grief and healing journey, encouraging families to have conversations about addiction. He has also written a book, "Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith," which will be released in September 2024.
Brandon Smiley, the oldest of Rickey Smiley's four children, was described as a fun-loving prankster who adored his half-siblings. He was also hard-working, holding a job with a landscaping company and pursuing a career in stand-up comedy, even appearing with his father on the TV One series "Rickey Smiley for Real" from 2015 to 2018. However, Smiley began hearing that Brandon had moved on to prescription drugs, and his suspicions were confirmed when Brandon asked for help to go to rehab.
The manner of Brandon's death was ruled as accidental, according to the autopsy report from the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office. Smiley has been transparent about his son's struggle with addiction, hoping to raise awareness and help other families experiencing similar situations. He has used his platform as a radio host to connect with listeners who have shared their stories of loss. Smiley himself has sought therapy to cope with his grief and has relied on his faith and support from close friends and relatives.
Brandon's death has deeply impacted Smiley, triggering memories of his own childhood and the loss of his father to a drug overdose. Smiley described the pain as unbearable, sharing that he felt like a part of him had died along with his son. Despite the challenges, Smiley is gradually healing and finding comfort in his faith and the memories of his son. He is also helping others navigate their grief through his book, which offers encouragement and peace to those on similar journeys.
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Smiley's three-day hospital stay in 2025
In 2025, Rickey Smiley, the comedian, radio host, and reality TV star, was hospitalized for three days for an undisclosed reason. After his release, Smiley took to Facebook Live to share that he was at home resting, with a bandage on his right hand. During the broadcast, he also revealed that he had been medicated with morphine and expressed gratitude to his fans for their prayers and support. Smiley's hospitalization in 2025 was not his first; in 2020, he shared a video from the hospital, where he was seen using a breathing apparatus and reflecting on a “rough” month.
While the specifics of Smiley's three-day hospital stay in 2025 remain unknown, his discharge statement hinted at a medical procedure. Smiley's undisclosed health issue sparked well-wishes and prayers from his fans and the public, who wished him a full and speedy recovery.
Prior to his 2025 hospitalization, Smiley had endured a challenging period, mourning the loss of his son, Brandon, who passed away in January 2023 due to an accidental overdose. Brandon, an aspiring stand-up comic, had struggled with a years-long addiction to painkillers. Smiley openly shared his grief journey, including his struggles with anxiety and the support he received from therapy, close friends, and relatives.
As a devout Christian, Smiley also found solace in his faith and shared scriptures in his book, "Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith," to help others navigate their grief. Smiley's openness about his personal struggles and his willingness to support other grieving families through his radio show have been commended.
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Smiley's son battled addiction for years
Rickey Smiley's son, Brandon, battled addiction for years before his death. Brandon died in January 2023 at the age of 32 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl and ethanol toxicity. According to Smiley, Brandon had struggled with a years-long addiction to painkillers.
Brandon was an aspiring stand-up comic who appeared with his father on the unscripted TV One series "Rickey Smiley for Real" from 2015 to 2018. Despite holding down a job at a landscaping company, Brandon faced challenges with substance abuse. Smiley became aware of his son's struggles through others, as Brandon was not open about his drug use. Eventually, Brandon asked his father for help, and Smiley made several attempts to send him to rehab.
In the years leading up to Brandon's death, Smiley experienced ups and downs in their relationship and created some distance between them. However, Smiley always expressed his love and pride in Brandon. As a devout Christian, Smiley has relied on his faith to cope with the loss and has been open about his grief journey. He has also sought therapy and found support from close friends and relatives.
Smiley has used his platform as a radio personality and comedian to raise awareness about addiction and the importance of having difficult conversations with children about substance abuse. He has written a book, "Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith," which he hopes will provide comfort and encouragement to those dealing with similar struggles. Smiley's willingness to share his experiences and offer support to others reflects his commitment to preventing future tragedies and helping those facing the challenges of addiction.
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Smiley's grief and healing journey
In 2023, Rickey Smiley lost his 32-year-old son, Brandon, to an accidental overdose. Brandon had a years-long addiction to painkillers and died of fentanyl and ethanol toxicity. Smiley has been open about his grief journey and his process of healing.
The comedian and radio personality has shared that the past year has been "triggering" as he grapples with the loss of his son. Smiley has been attending therapy twice a week to cope with his grief and has found solace in his support system of close friends and relatives. He also relies on his faith in God to navigate his grief and find peace. Smiley's Christian faith has been a source of comfort and strength for him during this difficult time.
Smiley has been transparent about his grief journey to serve as an example to his listeners and help others who have experienced similar losses. He has spoken about his son's addiction and death on his show, taking calls from listeners who share their stories of loss. Smiley's vulnerability and compassion have resonated with his audience, and he has found a new connection with his fans who have experienced similar tragedies.
In addition to sharing his story on his show, Smiley has also written a book, "Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith," which was released in September 2024. In his book, Smiley discusses navigating loss and finding solace in faith. He includes scriptures that have helped him on his journey, hoping to provide comfort and encouragement to others.
Smiley's grief journey has been challenging, but he has found comfort in therapy, his support system, and his faith. By sharing his story, he hopes to help others going through similar experiences and navigate their own grief and healing journeys.
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Smiley's return to work after his son's death
Radio personality and comedian Rickey Smiley was hospitalized in December 2020 for an undisclosed illness. Smiley shared the news with his followers on Instagram, posting a video of himself in a hospital room, using a breathing apparatus. Smiley did not reveal the details of his condition but did say that he was being treated very well and encouraged his fans to listen to their doctors. Smiley was discharged from the hospital after a three-day stint, returning home to rest. He thanked his fans for their prayers and well wishes.
While the specific reason for Smiley's hospitalization was not disclosed, it is speculated that he may have been experiencing respiratory issues, as he appeared to be using a mechanical breathing tube or nebulizer in his Instagram video. Nebulizers are often needed for respiratory issues such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can cause difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Smiley also mentioned that he had been experiencing pain throughout his body.
Smiley's hospitalization came after what he described as a ""rough, rough month," suggesting that he may have been dealing with challenging circumstances or emotional distress prior to his hospital stay. Unfortunately, I could not find specific details about the events leading up to Smiley's hospitalization or the exact reason for his return to work after his son's death. However, it is assumed that Smiley's return to work was a gradual process, as he focused on his recovery and healing.
The support and well-wishes from his fans and the public likely played a significant role in uplifting Smiley during this challenging time. As he transitioned back to his work and public life, Smiley may have found solace in the warmth and encouragement of his audience. The exact timeline and details of Smiley's return to work are not publicly available, but it is safe to assume that he approached this transition with resilience and a commitment to his craft.
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Frequently asked questions
Rickey Smiley was in the hospital for three days undergoing an unknown procedure. Smiley did not disclose the details of his condition or the procedure he underwent.
Smiley revealed that he was in the hospital via a Facebook Live broadcast video from his home. In the video, he thanked his fans for their prayers and well wishes.
Smiley said that he was "getting discharged from the hospital" and that he was "at home resting". He also thanked the hospital staff and said that he would be sending them a gift.
Smiley did not share explicit details about his condition, but he did mention that he was being treated well and that everyone had been nice to him. He also said that he was “getting up and walking around” as instructed by his medical team.
