Jimmy Kimmel's "Uncle Frank" Potenza Dead at 77

One of Jimmy Kimmel's regular guests "Uncle Frank" Potenza passed away Tuesday morning. He was 77. 

"It is with great sadness that the staff and crew of Jimmy Kimmel Live! mourn the loss of 'Uncle Frank' Potenza," ABC said in a statement.

"Thank you for your kind words about a very kind man -- my Uncle Frank -- who passed away this morning," the Kimmel twittered.

Potenza was a security guard for the show and made numerous appearances during his nine years on the program. He starred in segments such as "Guillermo's Hollywood Round-Up" and "Uncle Frank and Aunt Chippy's Adventures."

In the years before becoming a familiar face on his nephew's show, Potenza was a New York City police officer and a security guard at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

"He was beloved by his co-workers and considered an uncle to all," the network said. "His kindness and humor will be missed by everyone he touched."

It seems Potenza also made an impression on a few celebs other than Kimmel. John Stamos offered his condolences via Twitter on Wednesday morning and shared a picture of himself with Uncle Frank. "@jimmykimmel the best part of doing jimmy's show was to see smiling uncle frank," he wrote. "Love you and miss you uncle frank."

And Kimmel's ex-girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, also had kind words to say. "RIP the beloved Uncle Frank," she twittered on Tuesday night. "NYC cop, security guard, father to 3, husband to 1, & Uncle to everyone."

Watch a clip of Uncle Frank on Jimmy Kimmel Live! below:

 

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