Andy Cohenis praising"Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Mary Cosbyafter the death of her son,Robert Cosby Jr..
The "Housewives" franchise producer and reunion host shared his condolences to the Cosby family, calling the death of Robert Cosby Jr. "devastating" and "every parent's worst nightmare." He added, getting emotional, "I will always appreciate getting a small window into the unconditional love between Mary and Robert Jr."
Cohen thanked the family for opening up about the 23-year-old's mental health and drug addiction on the series.
"Mary, you did such a good job," Cohen continued. "I know their bravery and their vulnerability in sharing their story has helped and will continue to help countless people who are struggling. Rest in peace Robert Jr. and thanks."
Robert Cosby Jr. died Monday, Feb. 23, after law enforcement responded to an overdose call, Salt Lake City Police Department public information officer Sgt. Greg Wilking confirmed to USA TODAY in a phone call Wednesday. A cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
"Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord," Mary Cosby, 53, told USA TODAY in a statement Wednesday. "Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow."
Advertisement
'RHOSLC' star Mary Cosby's sonRobert dies at 23
Want to take a trip down memory lane of one of reality TV's most salacious franchises? Revisit all the "Real Housewives" of the past and present, starting with Mary Cosby of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City," seen here attending the Las Culturistas Culture Awards on July 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. Scroll through for more." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Porsha Williams visits the Empire State Building ahead of Season 16 of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" on March 4, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ubah Hassan, Jessel Taank, and Sai De Silva of "Real Housewives of New York" pose for portraits on Sep 23, 2024, ahead of the release of Season 15." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kyle Richards of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" at the makeup counter at Bloomingdale's in New York on Aug. 9, 2011. (After 15 years on the show, Richards is now the longest-running original cast member in Bravo history.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Cary Deuber, Phaedra Parks, Brandi Redmond, Sonja Morgan and Stephanie Hollman attend the OK! Magazine Summer Kickoff Party at Magic Hour at Moxy Times Square on May 15, 2018, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Cary Deuber, Brandi Redmond, Sonja Morgan and Stephanie Hollman" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vicki Gunvalson of "Real Housewives of Orange County" attends Alo House Winter 2021 in Los Angeles. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
NeNe Leakes of "Real Housewives of Atlanta," attends the TV One Urban One Honors at The Eastern on Dec. 2, 2022 in Atlanta." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teresa Giudice of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" attends 2023 Variety's Women of Reality TV at Spago on Nov. 29, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Kristen Taekman, Sonja Morgan, Ramona Singer, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Luann de Lesseps and Dorinda Medley attend "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy" premiere party on Dec. 12, 2023, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kenya Moore of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" attends the screening of "Mean Girls" at AMC Madison Yards 8 on Jan. 9, 2024, in Atlanta. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Kyle Richards, Karen Huger, Cynthia Bailey, Teddi Mellencamp and Katie Ginella attend Us Weekly and Pluto TV's "Reality TV Stars of the Year" at The Highlight Room on Oct. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Larsa Pippen of "Real Housewives of Miami" attends a Haute Living celebration with will.i.am at The Moore Miami on Dec. 3, 2024, in Miami. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bethenny Frankel of "Real Housewives of New York" attends Netflix's "Kinda Pregnant" New York premiere at Paris Theater on Feb. 3, 2025, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Teddi Mellencamp of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" photographed at the Orpheum Theater on Feb. 7, 2025, in New Orleans." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Meredith Marks of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" attends the a Prevent Cancer Foundation event on Feb. 11, 2025, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lisa Vanderpump of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" at the "Power Of Love" gala at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Caroline Stanbury of "The Real Housewives of Dubai" and Mona Kattan pose at the Kayali Fleur Majesty Rose Royale 31 Launch event on March 6, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Luann de Lesseps of "Real Housewives of New York" pictured in New York City at Hall Des Lumieres on March 11, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Wendy Osefo of "Real Housewives of Potomac" attends the 2025 Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 29, 2025, in Inglewood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sonja Morgan of "Real Housewives of New York," attends "The Amateur" world premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 2, 2025, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jeana Keough, Jo De La Rosa, Lauri Peterson and Vicki Gunvalson attend the premiere party for Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County" 10-year celebration on June 16, 2016. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Real Housewives of Orange County," from left to right: Vicki Gunvalson, Meghan Edmonds, Lizzie Rovsek, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Beador and Tamra Judge." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Melissa Gorga, a cast member of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," photographed backstage at the 2024 People's Choice Awards. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dolores Catania, a cast member of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," photographed backstage at the 2024 People's Choice Awards. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Margaret Josephs, a cast member of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," photographed backstage at the 2024 People's Choice Awards on Feb. 18, 2024." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lisa Vanderpump and Camille Grammer of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" shopping at Bloomingdale's in New York on Aug. 9, 2011." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Camille Grammer, Kyle Richards and Lisa Vanderpump of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" shopping at Bloomingdale's in New York on Aug. 9, 2011." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" Season 2, from left to right: Kim Richards, Adrienne Maloof, Kyle Richards, Taylor Armstrong, Camille Grammer and Lisa Vanderpump." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Real Housewives of New York City" from Season 5, left to right: Luann de Lesseps, Carole Radziwill, Aviva Drescher, Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and Heather Thomson." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Real Housewives of Orange County" from left to right: Heather Dubrow, Tamra Barney and Vicki Gunvalson. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, "The Real Housewives of Dallas" stars Casey Deuber, Brandi Redmond, Stephanie Hollman, LeeAnne Locken and Tiffany Hendra." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Remember these 'Real Housewives'? Revisit cast members, including Mary Cosby
Want to take a trip down memory lane of one of reality TV's most salacious franchises? Revisit all the "Real Housewives" of the past and present, starting with Mary Cosby of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City," seen here attending the Las Culturistas Culture Awards on July 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. Scroll through for more.
Robert Cosby Jr. was featured several times on "RHOSLC," including in a candid and emotional conversation he had with his mother over his substance abuse issues.
Cosby Jr., who Mary Cosby described as a high-achieving, straight-A student growing up, told his mother he had been taking Xanax, along with a slew of other drugs, since he was 16.
"I won't judge you. I can try to help you, but you have to help yourself because I'm not going to support it," a tearful Mary Cosby told her son. "You know I'm not."
"I just feel very disappointed with myself," she added in a confessional interview. "I feel like I let him down somewhere. I do know that Robert did smoke weed. I do know he would eat edibles, but yet I just trusted him in my mind, thinking that's where he would stop. And I was clearly wrong."
The conversation was lauded when it aired for its tenderness. The reality star has also stood by him in recent years, speaking openly about his struggles.
"I can just only push him, encourage him and love him. And that's what I'm doing," she said during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Reality Checked" in September.
If you or someone you know needs help battling a substance abuse addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration'sNational Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Andy Cohen praises Mary Cosby after death of son Robert Cosby Jr.
