Beloved TV Judge Frank Caprio Dies at 88 After Battle with Pancreatic Cancer

CLEVLAND 13 (WCTU) — Frank Caprio, the retired Providence Municipal Court judge whose compassionate rulings on the television show Caught in Providence made him a viral sensation and earned him the title “Nicest Judge in the World,” has died at the age of 88. His death was confirmed Monday, Aug. 20, through a statement on his official social media accounts, noting that he passed away peacefully following a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

“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.”

Caprio, who revealed his cancer diagnosis in late 2023 through an Instagram video, remained hopeful and transparent about his health. In a final message filmed just hours before his death, he asked followers to “remember me in your prayers once more.” His heartfelt request received an outpouring of support from his 3.5 million followers.

Born in 1936 in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, Caprio was the son of Italian-American immigrants. He earned his bachelor's degree from Providence College and taught American Government at Hope High School before attending Suffolk University School of Law at night. He later founded the Antonio "Tup" Caprio Scholarship Fund in honor of his father.

Caprio rose to prominence through Caught in Providence, a courtroom reality series that aired locally before gaining national distribution and later streaming on Prime Video. The show captured real cases from Caprio’s courtroom, often featuring moments of humor, compassion, and empathy. Clips from the series have amassed more than one billion views across social media platforms, drawing viewers from around the world.

His rulings often highlighted fairness over punishment. In one episode, Caprio dismissed $400 in fines for a grieving mother whose son had been killed. In another, he empathized with a 96-year-old man who received a speeding ticket while rushing his disabled son to the doctor.

Caprio served nearly four decades on the Providence bench before retiring in 2023. Throughout his career, he advocated for broader access to justice and frequently addressed the inequities faced by low-income individuals in the legal system. “Almost 90% of low-income Americans are forced to battle civil issues like healthcare, unjust evictions, veterans benefits and, yes, even traffic violations, alone,” he said in a video shared online.

Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Caprio’s honor and praised him as a “Rhode Island treasure.” McKee said in a statement, “He was more than a jurist, he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.”

Rhode Island Senate leaders echoed the sentiment in a joint statement, saying, “Judge Caprio embodied the spirit of Rhode Island and its people. He truly saw the humanity in everyone, and his compassion inspired countless acts of kindness across the world.”

Frank Caprio is survived by his family, who described him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

“I hope that people will take away that the institutions of government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion in their deliberations,” Caprio said in a 2017 interview. “We live in a very contentious society. I would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.”

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