Reality TV and social media star Frank Caprio, renowned as ‘the nicest judge in the world’, has died at the age of 88.
The American judge and politician served as the chief judge of the municipal court of Providence, Rhode Island, where he became widely respected for his compassionate approach to justice.
Caprio gained international recognition through the TV series Caught in Providence, which aired between 2018 and 2020. The show highlighted defendants facing prosecution who were treated with empathy and understanding, rather than strict punishment.
Despite only running for two seasons, clips from the series went viral online, amassing millions of views. The show’s YouTube channel now boasts over 2.9 million subscribers, and Caprio’s TikTok account has attracted 1.6 million followers.
The judge’s death was confirmed on his Instagram page, with a statement noting that Caprio passed away peacefully after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Beloved for his warmth, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Caprio “touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,” the statement added.
He was praised for inspiring kindness and compassion, and the tribute encouraged the public to continue his legacy by practicing empathy in daily life.
Fans and followers quickly flooded Caprio’s social media pages with messages of condolence, remembering him for his gentle approach and humour.
“I’m devastated! I prayed for him last night. He was such a light,” one fan wrote on Instagram. “I will keep his words close to my heart.”
Another commented: “A gentleman of honour and justice. My condolences to his entire family. A great man has been lost.”
In 2023, Caprio publicly shared that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, revealing his diagnosis in a heartfelt social media video on his birthday.
“This birthday is a little different than any other,” he said at the time. “The report was not a good one. I’ve been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, an insidious form of cancer.”
Just one day before his death, Caprio posted another message from his hospital bed, asking followers to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, to Italian immigrant parents, Caprio initially worked as a teacher before entering the legal profession.
He served as a Providence Municipal Court Judge from 1985 to 2023 and was also a member of the Providence City Council from 1962 to 1968. Caprio later chaired the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education.
Caprio often emphasised fairness and kindness in the courtroom, stating in 2017: “I hope people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive. Institutions of government can function very well by exercising compassion.”
He was married to his wife Joyce E. Caprio for 60 years. The couple shared five children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Caprio’s family described him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose legacy will endure through the countless lives he impacted.
