Jimmy Kimmel was overcome with emotion while paying tribute to his friend Bob Saget in a segment taped before the audience arrived at Jimmy Kimmel Live.
A sombre Kimmel explained he wanted to take a moment to say a few words about the Full House star, who was found dead in his hotel room over the weekend.
The talk show host said that the words 'the sweetest' had come up many times when people were remembering Saget, choking back tears as he echoed that sentiment.
"Bob was the sweetest. He was the sweetest man," Kimmel said with a shaky voice.
"I have so many wonderfully kind and supportive texts and emails and calls from Bob," Kimmel continued.
"He always had a compliment. He'd write sometimes just to tell me he loved me and I know he did that for many people.
"He was so funny, and I'm not talking about Full House or America's Funniest Home Videos or stand-up comedy or movies, I mean funny for real.
"Like, when you walked into a party, you saw Bob and his wife Kelly in the corner, you go straight to them and stay for as long as you could."
Kimmel added that Saget had "something funny to say about everything and nothing bad to say about anyone".
"He was - unlike me, he was a good person."
Kimmel later retrieved a print-out of an email that Saget had sent him, discussing their children's wellbeing.
"One night soon let's go out and have some meat and some good damn drinks and talk about how lucky we are that we have them," the message read.
"We did do that, many times," Kimmel said. "When my son was in the hospital Bob checked in a lot."
Towards the end of his speech, after sending his love and condolences to Saget's friends and family, Kimmel broke down completely.
"I'm sorry I taped this like 14 times and I just..." he said, pausing to collect himself.
Kimmel then played a clip of Saget and his Full House co-star John Stamos appearing on the show in 2017 which he said demonstrated how the pair were "like brothers".
"You guys are going to be like the old guys on The Muppets," Kimmel told the friends.
"I hope that happens!" Saget replied.
Saget, 65, was pronounced dead in his room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando after a security person discovered him unresponsive and called 911. He was touring around the United States with his comedy show at the time, and had played a gig in Jacksonville the night before.
Police confirmed the news, announcing there were no signs of trauma, foul play or drug use. The cause of Saget's death remains unknown, however some reports suggest authorities suspect a sudden medical emergency such as a heart attack or a stroke.
In a podcast recorded only a few days before his death, Saget revealed he had previously contracted COVID-19, but didn't say when. Officials are reportedly investigating whether this may have contributed to his death, as in some cases the virus can cause blood clots and other complications.
