Guy Fieri Mourns Death of 3 Doors Down's Brad Arnold

The Food Network star paid tribute to his friend and fellow musician who lost his battle with stage four kidney cancer.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Guy Fieri hosted his annual Flavortown Tailgate Super Bowl event for 10,000 fans, but the celebration was overshadowed by the heartbreaking news of his friend Brad Arnold's death. The 3 Doors Down lead singer lost his battle with stage four kidney cancer, and Fieri took to Instagram to post an emotional tribute, calling Arnold "next level" and remembering their special friendship.

Why it matters

Fieri and Arnold had been friends for years, with the TV personality once surprising the singer on stage during a 2023 concert. Arnold's passing is a significant loss for the music community, as 3 Doors Down has said his "music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on."

The details

In his Instagram post, Fieri expressed how "heartbreaking" it was to lose his "great friend" and someone with "so much incredible talent" and "appreciation for music, fans and family." Fans flooded the comments with condolences, remembering how Arnold's music had helped them through tough times. The pair's friendship dated back years, with Fieri previously pranking Arnold by switching places with the band's guitarist during a 2023 concert in Boca Raton, Florida.

  • On February 10, 2026, Guy Fieri posted his tribute to Brad Arnold on Instagram.

The players

Guy Fieri

An American restaurateur, author, game show host, and television personality who hosts various food-related TV shows.

Brad Arnold

The lead singer of the rock band 3 Doors Down, who passed away on February 10, 2026 after a battle with stage four kidney cancer.

Chet Roberts

The guitarist for the band 3 Doors Down.

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What they’re saying

“Heartbreaking to lose a great friend and someone that shared so much incredible talent. My friend Brad was the next level and had so much appreciation for music, fans and family.”

— Guy Fieri (Instagram)

“I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and the rest of his friends and family.”

— Fan (Instagram)

“Brad was an amazing musician and overall good human. He will be missed.”

— Fan (Instagram)

What’s next

3 Doors Down will continue to honor Brad Arnold's legacy, as the band stated that "his music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on."

The takeaway

The passing of Brad Arnold, the lead singer of 3 Doors Down, has deeply impacted his friend and fellow musician Guy Fieri, as well as the broader music community. Their special friendship and the lasting impact of Arnold's music serve as a poignant reminder of the power of human connection and the enduring legacy that artists can leave behind.