Andy Cohen held back tears on “Watch What Happens Live” while paying tribute to Kyra Samson, the show’s former production manager who died this week at age 28 after a battle with brain cancer.
Andy Cohen stopped mid-moment on Thursday night’s episode of “Watch What Happens Live,” his voice catching as he told his studio audience that the show’s family had lost a beloved member.
“This is hard for me to get through. ” Cohen said. before sharing the news that the “Watch What Happens Live” team lost Kyra Samson. who worked for the Bravo late-night program for several years. including as a production manager. Cohen said Samson passed away on Tuesday night from brain cancer. She was only 28.
Cohen described Samson’s presence as both warm and commanding. During her four years with the show. she was known for “her sweet smile and gentle demeanor. ” he said. while also being “a small but mighty enforcer.” He recalled seeing her “on a bullhorn corralling massive crowds at BravoCon. ” calling it “truly a sight to behold.”.
As the tribute continued, tears finally broke through. “She’s gonna be terribly missed by all of us here,” Cohen said. “And. no doubt. by everyone who was lucky enough to know her.” He urged viewers to honor her legacy by donating to the Kyra Fund. explaining that it will help provide “urgently needed research for people with glioblastomas” and. he added. “hopefully help future Kyras out there.”.
Before wrapping up, Cohen wiped at his eyes and sent love outward. He said the show was sending “all of our prayers and love to her family and her friends. We love you, Kyra.”
Cohen’s emotional tribute came a day after Samson’s father, David Samson, shared word of her passing on X. In his post. David Samson wrote that his daughter Kyra “passed away peacefully after a 9 month and 11 day fight against one of the cruelest diseases I’ve ever seen up close.” He added that she was diagnosed with brain cancer. specifically glioblastoma.
He said he’d felt the concern and love of others throughout the months but wasn’t “ready to be anymore specific than I was.” David Samson also wrote that Kyra was a 28-year-old young woman who “loved deeply. ” and that she was “impossible to describe in 280 characters.” He reflected on how her life was taken while she handled the fight with “courage. poise and resolve. ” adding that he wanted “no family to feel what we feel today” and that “for no young person to suffer the way she did.”.
Like Cohen, David Samson encouraged people to donate to the Kyra Fund set up for glioblastoma research, with a link included in his post.
Andy Cohen Watch What Happens Live Kyra Samson Bravo WWHL brain cancer glioblastoma Kyra Fund David Samson BravoCon