Real Housewives Of New York City ‘longest-standing editor’ Peter Gamba dies from coronavirus aged 63

Peter Gamba, editor of The Real Housewives Of New York, passed away on Wednesday from the coronavirus at age 63.

As confirmed by Bravo’s Daily Dish, Gamba had been an editor on the series since it launched in 2008.

On Thursday night’s episode of RHONY, a tribute was paid to Peter, who is survived by his wife Jeanne Olivier and daughters Michelle and Julia.

Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen – who himself fell ill with the virus but has since recovered – took a moment on Thursday to dedicate his Moment of MAZEL to Peter, who he called ‘the show’s lifeblood’ and ‘the rock of post-production.’

Cohen, who is also a producer for the Real Housewives franchise, also said, ‘His sense of humor and passion for his work will forever be remembered.

‘He cut the very first episode of New York Housewives back in Season 1,’ Andy reminisced, as the video cut to archival shots of Peter at his editing bay, and laughing with Cohen. 

‘He’d call people into the bay for years after to chuckle at material he found,’ he said.

‘He spent the next 12 years editing such iconic episodes and moments that included Alex and Simon arriving at the Hamptons — that always gave him a chuckle — the “Tell me it’s not about Tom, it’s about Tom” episode in Miami, “Life is not a Cabaret,” Luann looking up at the poster, Tinsley and Dale crying over the eggs, Luann falling into the bush…’

RHONY star Sonja Morgan paid homage to Peter on Twitter, writing on Thursday, ‘#RIP Peter. Our editor. So sad. Prayers to his family. We will miss him.’

RHONY executive producers Barrie Bernstein and Lisa Shannon also released statements, saying of Peter that ‘there was nothing like watching a scene that he cut and made his own, putting his sense of humor into it.’

‘He loved to make people laugh and he did it well. Peter cared — he was proud and humble. He delivered and he left his mark. His edit bay was a refuge for anyone seeking counsel, a moment of quiet or a much needed escape. He had a heart of gold and was a devoted, generous person who would drop anything for a friend.’

Upon learning of Gamba’s death, Bernstein and Shannon launched a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of Gamba’s widow Jeanne, along with their daughters.

They wrote on the fundraiser page, ‘While we are all devastated by the loss of this larger-than-life man with the twinkle in his eye, we want to celebrate his impact on each of us by doing what he would want us to do now: take care of his girls.’

Gamba’s credits also include editing on the shows Bethenny Ever After, Basketball Wives, Supernanny, Lipstick Empire and many more.