Famous US Judge Frank Caprio Dies After Battle With Cancer

Frank Caprio, the well-known Rhode Island municipal judge and reality TV personality, has died at the age of 88.

Caprio gained national recognition through his show Caught in Providence, which aired from 2018 to 2020 and earned several Daytime Emmy nominations. According to a statement shared on his Instagram account on August 20, he passed away peacefully after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

“Judge Caprio was cherished for his compassion, humility, and deep faith in the goodness of people. His kindness, humor, and generosity touched millions in the courtroom and beyond,” the statement read. It further described him as not only a respected judge but also a devoted family man—husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Caprio’s empathetic approach in the courtroom made him widely beloved. Clips from Caught in Providence often went viral on social media, earning him the nickname “The Nicest Judge in the World.” His popularity extended online, where he built a following of more than three million on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok.

In 2023, Caprio revealed in an emotional Instagram video that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, describing it as “an insidious form of cancer.” Just a day before his passing, he posted another heartfelt message from his hospital bed, thanking his supporters for their prayers and asking for their continued strength.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee paid tribute on X, calling Caprio a “Rhode Island treasure” who fought his illness with remarkable courage. McKee also ordered flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff in his honor.