Matthew Byars, a talent manager who appeared on “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” has died at the age of 37.
Byars first appeared on RHOP in 2018 during season 3 alongside Karen Huger, who described him as a “powerful young man,” when speaking to the Daily Dish at the time. He made his debut at Huger’s notorious press conference, during which she addressed rumors about her alleged financial struggles.
“Matt is not my PR, but I would say that Matt is in a line of my agent, my booking person, and it works for me,” she added.
Byars death was confirmed on Friday by “Real Housewives” stars Charrisse Jackson-Jordan and Melissa Gorga, both of whom shared tributes to their late friend online.
A cause of death was not provided.
Jackson-Jordan took to Instagram to share a photo of herself and Byars with a caption reading “rest in peace.” Gorga, meanwhile, shared a montage of images with Byars from over the years, writing that she’s been left “heartbroken.”
“Your personality was infectious. Your jokes- you always had them. You should have done stand up- I know it was your dream. My heart hurts Matt,” Gorga wrote.
“They don’t make them like us. I wish I could have saved you. Thank you for the memories,” the Real Housewives of New Jersey star continued. “Go fly- Go make them laugh.”
While Huger has not yet addressed his death, she previously opened up with the Daily Dish about her years-long friendship with Byar, who she’d known “since he was about 17, 18 years old.”
“I encourage Matt when life is difficult,” she said.
“A lot of people call me ‘Mama Karen’ in Potomac because I love helping young folk,” Huger continued. “When life was trying to him, I reached out and told him to go to school, and he did, and now we work together.”
Huger concluded: “Matt’s a good guy and us together, two powerhouses together, we make great things happen off-screen, in family and personal life, and we also make things happen fantastic on-screen, as you noticed.”