Jimmy Kimmel Shares Saddest Part Of Hosting Kobe Bryant’s Memorial Service

Jimmy Kimmel admitted it wasn’t easy to see Kobe Bryant’s grieving family during his funeral service.

The host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” looked back at the time when he hosted Bryant’s funeral service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in February. Aside from the late NBA legend’s family members, NBA greats including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and more were present.

Although many people were there to comfort the family, Kimmel still found it hard to watch his wife, children and parents cry for their loss. In fact, for him, it was the saddest part of the memorial service. Bryant’s wife Vanessa was seated with her eldest daughter Natalia and her sister Sophie Laine, and mom, Sofia. On the opposite side of the same row were Bryant’s parents Joe and Pam Bryant.

“That's a killer, you know, to look out at those kids and Vanessa and you know, Kobe's parents, and just realize that as sad as this is for all of us, this is a million times worse for them,” Kimmel said on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”

During the service, the TV personality was overcome with his emotion when he delivered his opening remarks.

“I’ve been trying to come up with something positive to take away from this and it’s hard because there isn’t much, but the best thing I was able to come up with is this: gratitude,” Kimmel said at the time.

“It seems to me that all we can do is be grateful for the time that we had with them and for the time that we have left with each other and that's all.”

Vanessa also delivered a speech for her husband and daughter Gianna. She first paid tribute to her “baby girl” then to Bryant, whom she called her “soulmate.”

Vanessa said that while many found Bryant as a fierce competitor on the basketball court, a great writer and an Oscar winner, for her, he was just her sweet husband. In her speech, she recalled how they met when she was just 17 and shared how their differences complemented each other.

“Kobe and I have been together since I was 17 and a half years old. I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, his best friend, his confidant and his protector. He was the most amazing husband. Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words. He was the early bird and I was the night owl. I was fire and he was ice and vice versa at times. We balanced each other out. He would do anything for me,” Vanessa said at the memorial.