Frank Caprio, the US judge whose compassion and humour in the courtroom made him a global social media star, has died at 88, his family announced.
Caprio, who was battling pancreatic cancer, was remembered in a statement posted to his official Instagram account, where he had more than 3.4 million followers, for his “warmth” and “unwavering belief in the goodness of people.”
His son, David Caprio, thanked fans for their support and urged people to “spread a little kindness” in memory of his father.
Best known as the host of the hit TV programme Caught in Providence, Judge Caprio presided over thousands of minor cases in his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. Clips from the show — often featuring his signature empathy and light-hearted exchanges with defendants — went viral worldwide, earning him “the nicest judge in the world.”
The production company behind the series, Debmar-Mercury, praised his “unique brand of compassion and common-sense approach.” Co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said, “We will miss him dearly.”
During its run, Caught in Providence was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards, with Caprio receiving two individual nominations in 2023. His courtroom kindness became viral, from inviting children to sit beside him on the bench to unveiling a “mini-judge” plush toy in his likeness.
Even outside the courtroom, Caprio’s presence captivated audiences. A TikTok video showing his morning routine — brushing his teeth, signing copies of his book and watching his programme — attracted more than five million views.
In a 2019 interview, Caprio described his show as offering “a slice of life of Rhode Island that is very interesting, and it reflects the same issues people are experiencing nationwide.”
After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023, Caprio said he was “fully prepared to fight as hard as I can” and thanked followers for their continued support. In one of his final posts, he revealed he had returned to the hospital following a “setback” in his treatment, asking fans for their prayers.
Judge Frank Caprio is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce, their five children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Source: BBC
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