Frank Caprio Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Frank Caprio, the colorful municipal judge who presided over cases in his Rhode Island courtroom on Caught in Providence, died Wednesday. He was 88. His death after "a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer" was announced through a statement on his Instagram account. "Beloved for his compassion, humility and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond," the statement read. "His warmth, humor and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him." Related Stories Business Billy Crystal on His Late Manager, David Steinberg: "He Was One of a Kind" Movies Edgar Wright, Guy Pearce, Keith Richards, Gale Anne Hurd, Stephen Elliott Pay Tribute to "Truly Iconic" Terence Stamp: "The Most Mesmerizing Eyes" Viewers first watched Caprio handle traffic and municipal ordinance cases in his courtroom in Providence via local access television. After video clips of him went viral, Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury division distributed Caught in Providence throughout the U.S. for two seasons starting in 2018. Executive produced by Providence resident Paula Abdul, the show was nominated for Daytime Emmys in 2021, '22 and '23, and Caprio was nominated on his own last year. "Judge Caprio's unique brand of compassion and common sense approach to justice caught the attention of daytime TV and social media audiences, making Caught in Providence a fan favorite," Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, co-presidents of Debmar-Mercury division, noted in a statement. "We will miss him dearly." Along the way, Caprio earned the nickname the "Nicest Judge in the World." Judge Frank Caprio flanked by Ira Bernstein (left) and Mort Marcus of Debmar-Mercury at a NATPE conference. Courtesy Debmar-Mercury The second of three sons of a fruit peddler, Francesco Caprio was born in Providence on Nov. 24, 1936. He graduated from Central High School and in 1958 from Providence College, and while teaching American Government at Hope High School, he attended night school to earn his law degree from Suffolk University School of Law in Boston. In 1985, Caprio was appointed to the Providence Municipal Court and served as chief judge until his retirement in January 2023. He announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had begun treatment later that year. Caprio amassed 3.3 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok. From a hospital bed on Tuesday, he posted on Instagram and asked his fans to "remember me in your prayers once more." On X, Gov. Dan McKee called Caprio a "Rhode Island treasure" and ordered that flags in the state be flown at half-mast in his honor. Said son Frank Caprio Jr., a former Rhode Island general treasurer: "My Dad was always giving and looking to help others. His compassion spread far and wide due to a worldwide following that flocked to him. Hopefully, through our good deeds, his legacy will live on." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Judge Frank Caprio (@therealfrankcaprio) THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up ESPN What's Up With App-E, ESPN's New and First-Ever Mascot Live Feed 'And Just Like That' Writers Compare Finale Reaction to Ending 'Sex and the City': "It Was the Opposite of a Heated Debate" The Biggest Loser Jillian Michaels Breaks Silence Over Netflix's 'Biggest Loser' Docuseries WWE WWE's Premium Live Events Are Leaving Peacock for ESPN Earlier Than Expected Obituaries Carol Altieri, Former CBS Executive, Dies at 76 Etoile 'Etoile' Cinematographer David Mullen Dissects His Favorite Shot, Filled with Red Lights and Smoke ESPN What's Up With App-E, ESPN's New and First-Ever Mascot Live Feed 'And Just Like That' Writers Compare Finale Reaction to Ending 'Sex and the City': "It Was the Opposite of a Heated Debate" The Biggest Loser Jillian Michaels Breaks Silence Over Netflix's 'Biggest Loser' Docuseries WWE WWE's Premium Live Events Are Leaving Peacock for ESPN Earlier Than Expected Obituaries Carol Altieri, Former CBS Executive, Dies at 76 Etoile 'Etoile' Cinematographer David Mullen Dissects His Favorite Shot, Filled with Red Lights and Smoke