Judge Frank Caprio, known as the world’s nicest judge from his courtroom reality drama Caught in Providence, died at age 88 on Thursday.
He was a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island who served for nearly four decades.
Clips from the reality show have garnered over a billion views on social media.
Caprio died “after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer,” his Instagram account said. He was diagnosed in 2023. In one of his last public posts on social media, he told his followers he had experienced a setback and had returned to the hospital. He thanked them for their continued prayers and support, adding that he was prepared to fight “as hard as I can.”
“His warmth, humor, and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him or hearing his words,” the statement read.
Ties to his hometown
Born and raised in Providence, Caprio remained deeply tied to his hometown throughout his life. He presided over thousands of local cases before transitioning into television, where his unique judicial demeanor continued to shine. He often invited children to join him behind the bench and once even released a plush toy version of himself dubbed “mini-judge.”
In a 2019 interview, Caprio said that the show offered a glimpse into the everyday lives of Rhode Islanders and highlighted universal issues that people face across the US.
Caught in Providence earned three Daytime Emmy nominations over its run. Caprio received two individual nods for his work just last year. Debmar-Mercury, the company that distributed the show, paid tribute to Caprio’s “common-sense approach and compassionate heart” in a statement. Co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said, “We will miss him dearly.”
Caprio is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce, as well as their five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.