TL;DR
- Chad Spodick, known from Finding Prince Charming, has died at 42.
- A GoFundMe created by a friend shares emotional tributes and seeks support for funeral costs.
- Spodick was loved for his warmth, encouragement, and deep love for animals.
- He advanced to the final five on the groundbreaking gay dating show.
- LGBTQ fans remember him as a reality TV pioneer whose visibility mattered.
Reality TV Fan Favorite Gone Too Soon: Finding Prince Charming’s Chad Spodick Dies at 42
A beloved contestant whose heart reached far beyond the screen
Chad Spodick — the bright, warm, and unforgettable contestant who charmed audiences on Finding Prince Charming — has died at just 42, according to a GoFundMe launched by close friends. His passing, described as sudden and devastating, leaves a gap felt deeply across the LGBTQ community and by the countless fans who followed him since his time on the groundbreaking gay dating series.
The fundraiser’s organizer, Kate Webowski, shared the news with heartbreaking clarity: “Our hearts are shattered.” She painted a portrait of a man whose kindness wasn’t an act for the cameras but a daily practice — someone who lifted others up, who encouraged self-worth, who made people feel seen. “We are still struggling to comprehend a world without his light,” the message continues, capturing a grief that resonates with anyone who remembers Chad’s gentleness onscreen.
A life full of love — especially for his animals
Spodick’s devotion ran deep — to friends, to community, and especially to the animals he adored. His four dogs and beloved bird, Cosmo, were part of his daily joy, and the fundraiser aims not only to cover funeral and memorial expenses but to ensure that his pets remain safe and cared for. As donations surpass $14,000, the LGBTQ community and beyond are proving once again what chosen family looks like.
Chad’s willingness to pour into others was part of what made him magnetic. He wasn’t just a TV contestant; he was a steady presence in the lives of those he loved, a cheerleader for anyone who needed one, and someone who believed deeply in growth and compassion. That energy — generous, earnest, unguarded — is what so many are now mourning.
A standout on a pioneering gay dating series
Spodick stepped into the national spotlight in 2016 as one of 13 contestants on Logo TV’s Finding Prince Charming, a show modeled after The Bachelor but designed to center gay love stories. Hosted by Lance Bass and led by model Robert Sepúlveda Jr., the show was a first-of-its-kind moment in queer reality TV. Chad’s journey on the series carried him all the way to the final five before he chose to exit the competition in week six.
His presence helped usher in a new era of LGBTQ visibility on dating television — one where gay men weren’t sidekicks or punchlines but the romantic leads of their own narratives. For many viewers, Chad represented sweetness, confidence, and vulnerability at a time when queer audiences were hungry for authentic depictions of gay relationships and emotional connection.
An LGBTQ legacy that lives on
From his on-screen gentleness to the messages pouring in today, one thing is clear: Chad Spodick mattered. Reality TV can be messy, yes, but it can also offer representation that transforms lives. Chad was part of that transformation. His appearance on a trailblazing gay dating show helped normalize queer love for millions and gave LGBTQ viewers someone who looked and loved like them.
His passing is a loss not just for entertainment but for a community that saw in him a reflection of our own humanity. The love shown in the fundraiser — for his memory, his mother, his pets — is a reminder of how LGBTQ people rally when one of our own is hurting. It’s chosen family in action, and Chad embodied that spirit.
Though his time was far too short, the warmth he brought to screens and to the people around him remains. Chad’s light doesn’t vanish; it continues through the stories, the love, and the community he helped build.