Christian Evans, to whom she was married from 2012 to 2015, died by suicide in 2017.

Ricki Lake makes rare comment about late ex-husband nearly 10 years after his death

Christian Evans, to whom she was married from 2012 to 2015, died by suicide in 2017.

By Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale is a senior writer at **. She has been working at EW since July 2026. Her work has previously appeared on Us Weekly and J-14.

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October 1, 2026 12:44 p.m. ET

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Ricki Lake. Credit:

Santiago Felipe/WireImage

- Ricki Lake made a rare comment about her late ex-husband Christian Evans during a recent *Watch What Happens Live* appearance.

- The actress brought up her own “loss” while speaking with *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City* star Mary Cosby.

- Cosby lost her 23-year-old son earlier this year.

Ricki Lake made a rare comment about her late ex-husband Christian Evans while praising *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City** *star Mary Cosby, who lost her son earlier this year.

“I, also, am someone who is very accustomed to loss,” Lake said on Wednesday’s *Watch What Happens Live*. “I lost my husband almost 10 years ago, as you know Andy [Cohen], and having to rise in the public and just you know go through this, it’s really a testament to you and your strength.”

Lake told the reality star that it was “an honor” to be sitting with her on the Bravo talk show. “You’ve handled this with such grace,” Lake continued, referring to the February death of her son, Robert Cosby Jr., at 23.

Mary and Robert Cosby Sr. confirmed their only son’s death in a statement to ** at the time. (Robert Jr. had struggled with substance abuse before his death.)

“Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord,” the statement read. “Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow.”

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When *RHOSLC* season 7 premiered last month, fans got a first look at Mary in the wake of Robert Jr.’s death, which occurred about three weeks after the reality show began filming. Mary took a brief break from the show after her son died, returning as the pillar of strength.

“I said to her backstage that I think she is helping,” Lake said of Mary during Wednesday’s *WWHL* appearance. “She’s really doing a service.”

Lake was married to Evans from 2012 to 2015. He died by suicide in February 2017 at 45 following a longtime battle with bipolar disorder.

Ricki Lake and Christian Evans. Michael Kovac/WireImage

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“I have to spread the word about recognizing this disorder and getting treatment as soon as possible,” Lake told EW’s sister site PEOPLE months after his death. “Christian didn’t want to be labeled as bipolar, but he admitted he was in the note he left. That was him finally owning it. That was him giving me permission to tell his story.”

The actress said that Evans suffered from “a lot of demons” prior to his death. “But I understood him, and he was someone that I think a lot of people misunderstood,” she added.

Watch Lake’s appearance on *WWHL* above.

*If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at** **988lifeline.org** 24/7.*

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