A reality TV personality best known for appearing in one of the most talked-about episodes of Wife Swap has died at the age of 53.
James Cuda was found dead at a sober living residence in Pennsylvania following a lengthy struggle with alcohol addiction, according to TMZ. A county coroner confirmed his death to the outlet.
Cuda became widely known after appearing on Wife Swap as a gay nanny nicknamed “Princess.”
During the infamous episode, he cared for a child in a free-spirited Las Vegas family while a deeply religious mother from a Michigan Amish farm temporarily swapped homes with the family.
Tensions quickly exploded.
The mother eventually kicked Cuda out of the house and reportedly said she found his sexuality “disgusting,” sparking outrage among viewers and helping turn the episode into one of the show’s most memorable and controversial installments.
Cuda remained connected with people from his reality TV past in the years that followed.
His former costar Marissa Zdazinsky had reportedly been trying to help him get sober before his death.
After learning he had died, Zdazinsky shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, calling it “the saddest moment” of her life.
She also acknowledged that trying to support Cuda through his addiction had been extremely difficult for both her and her husband.
Cuda’s death comes after what was described as a long and difficult battle with alcohol addiction.
Additional details surrounding his death have not yet been released.