Judge Frank Caprio, best known for his compassionate courtroom moments on the TV show Caught in Providence, has died at the age of 88 from pancreatic cancer.
Caprio became a viral figure in recent years, with clips of his interactions spreading widely across Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. His reputation was built on kindness, often giving defendants a chance to explain themselves while mixing humor and empathy into his rulings.
The longtime Providence, Rhode Island judge first gained recognition locally, but the rise of social media made him a global figure. His videos regularly racked up millions of views, with fans praising him for his patience and humanity in a system often seen as cold or unforgiving.
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Judge Caprio was a viral social media star
Caprio served as the Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court and appeared on Caught in Providence for more than two decades.
The program, which aired both on local television and later nationally, showcased real cases of minor violations, including parking tickets and traffic infractions.
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The news of his death was shared in a post on his Instagram.
“Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer,” it reads. “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. His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
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It continued: “He will be remembered not only as a respected judge, but as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. His legacy lives on in the countless acts of kindness he inspired. In his honor, may we each strive to bring a little more compassion into the world — just as he did every day.”
This comes just a day after TikToker KingBeardX, whose real name was John Crawley, died at 47 years old.
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