Jimmy Kimmel Honors Kobe Bryant, Films Without Live Audience (Video)

Jimmy Kimmel is paying tribute to Kobe Bryant.

The 52-year-old Jimmy Kimmel Live! host honored the late basketball player during the episode that aired on Monday (January 27) – one day after Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna‘s tragic passing, which Jimmy called “a punch in the gut for many of us.”

“We don’t have a studio audience here tonight because — going forward with a comedy show didn’t feel right considering what happened yesterday — so I’d like to just speak to you directly,” Jimmy said during his opening monologue.

“Kobe was — and I know this might not make sense — but he was just the last person you could have ever imagined something like this happening to,” Jimmy continued. “He was so strong — and handsome — and smart — and energetic — he was a hero.”

“And when I say that, I don’t mean a hero like real heroes — like firefighters, or doctors and nurses — who actually save lives,” Jimmy added. “I don’t mean to compare what he did for a living to what they do. I know there are more important things than basketball. Almost everything is more important.”

“But Kobe was a hero in the way Superman is a hero,” Jimmy said. “He was so big and full of life, it was almost like he was a fictional character. A real-life superhero — with a costume and everything — walking amongst us.”

Watch the video to hear what else Jimmy Kimmel had to say.

See Ellen DeGeneres and Jimmy Fallon‘s tearful tributes to Kobe Bryant as well if you missed them.

READ MORE: Kobe Bryant Will Be Remembered at Oscars 2020 Ceremony With Tribute