Judge Frank Caprio, 'Nicest Judge in the World,' Dies at 88 Following Pancreatic Cancer Battle

Providence, Rhode Island – Judge Frank Caprio, the beloved municipal court judge who gained international fame as "the nicest judge in the world" through his reality television show Caught in Providence, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, at the age of 88. His death followed a courageous and public battle with pancreatic cancer, as confirmed by his family and official social media accounts. For nearly four decades, Judge Caprio presided over cases in the Providence Municipal Court, earning widespread admiration for his empathetic and humorous approach to justice. Videos of his courtroom proceedings, where he often dismissed minor offenses with compassion and engaged with defendants' families, garnered billions of views across social media platforms. His unique style, which often saw him inviting children to the bench or offering second chances, distinguished him from other TV judges. Judge Caprio first revealed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in December 2023, sharing his health journey with his millions of followers. He provided regular updates on his treatments, including radiation therapy completed in 2024. Just hours before his passing, he posted a video from his hospital bed, stating, > "Unfortunately, I've had a setback. I'm back in the hospital now and I'm coming to you again asking you to remember me in your prayers once more." His family remembered him as "a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend," adding that his "warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him." Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee stated that Judge Caprio "was more than a jurist – he was a symbol of empathy on the bench." Judge Caprio retired from his judicial role in 2023, and his courtroom was later renamed "The Chief Judge Frank Caprio Courtroom" in his honor. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1936, Caprio came from humble beginnings in the Federal Hill neighborhood. He served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard and pursued a legal career after working various jobs. His philosophy, as he once articulated, was that "institutions of government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion."