Terrible news this weekend out of the television universe:
Chuy Bravo, the personality best known as Chelsea Handler’s sidekick on the comedian’s long-running talk show, died suddenly on Sunday evening.
He was 63 years old.
The Mexican-American actor — who appeared on an endless number of Chelsea Lately episodes — passed away after being hospitalized a day earlier in Mexico City, where he had been visiting family for the past month.
TMZ has confirmed the awful development.
According to various family members, Chuy came down with a severe stomach ache on Saturday and had to be rushed to an emergency room in town, where he remained overnight.
On Sunday, loved ones say they were told Chuy had died; his exact cause of death is unclear.
Chuy worked on Chelsea Lately from its 2007 debut until 2014, when it ended its eight-season run.
Earlier this month, the star paid tribute to her good friend on his birthday.
“Happy Birthday to my OG Nugget @chuybravo,” the comedian wrote as a caption to a picture to of the two posing together on the Chelsea Lately set.
“I love this picture because—not only does it look like Chuy just launched out of my peekachu, I look like a member of ZZ Top,” she added. “Happy birthday Chuy, and thank you for 8 years of heavy petting.”
Not a great deal was known about Chuy throughout his run alongside Handler.
But he was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. at age 15.
According to Hollywood lore, he wandered onto the set of the classic comedi Three Amigos and decided to get into entertainment.
He says he started taking classes and eventually got cast in Austin Powers in Goldmember.
“I just heard minutes ago about our Chuy,” Chelsea Lately writer Heather McDonald wrote tonight on Instagram, along with an announcement about her pal’s death, adding:
“I don’t have many details but we are finding now.
“Please keep his family in your prayers and remember all the laughs and joy he brought to so many of us. #chuybravorip.”
In an interview posted on Radar Online just last week, Chuy thanked Chelsea for her kind birthday wishes and said of their relationship:
“She is very busy,” he told the outlet. “We have both been busy trying to do our thing that we haven’t seen each other since. But we text, we call each other.
“She called me last week actually before my birthday.”
“I love her. She is my dearest,” he added. “I would definitely accept a job if she offered it to me.”
Chuy also had roles in such movies as The Rundown, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, The Honeymooners, The Sex Trip” and Tiptoes, among others.
He revealed in 2012 that he was a survivor of prostate cancer — and that he was a recovering alcoholic.
Chuy was also born with dwarfism and stood at four feet and three inches in height.
We send our condolences to his family members, friends and loved ones.
May Chuy Bravo rest in peace.