A Teary-Eyed Jimmy Kimmel Presents Touching Tribute To Uncle Frank (UPDATE)

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by Jon Bershad | 10:44 am, September 7th, 2011

» 9 comments

When you work the long hours of something like a TV show, the people you work with become your family. However, for Jimmy Kimmel, one of his regulars already was. For nearly nine years, fans of Jimmy Kimmel Live! were entertained by Kimmel’s “crazy uncle” Frank Potenza, known to audiences simply as Uncle Frank. A month ago, Potenza died of cancer at the age of 77 and, last night, a tearful Kimmel presented a moving tribute to the man showing some of his best moments over the years.

Potenza was a former NYPD officer and was working as a security guard when Kimmel asked him to join the show in 2003. In the video, we see him telling the camera that he’s “done more in these years fun-wise than I ever have in my life” and, judging by the clips of him chatting with Kermit the Frog, donning ridiculous costumes, and flirting with Meryl Streep, it definitely seems like he had a ball.

Kimmel introduced the clip as such:

“Uncle Frank loved being part of this show. And I wanna say thanks to my co-workers who talked to him and visited him and picked him up 12 hours early for work. He loved you. And thanks to all of you who came to the show and watched, for indulging me and letting me put my crazy uncle on television.”

Watch the video from ABC below:

(h/t Splitsider)

UPDATE: Over at The Comic’s Comic, there’s clips of the rest of the episode, all dedicated to Uncle Frank. Of special interest is the 20 minute monologue/eulogy Kimmel opened the show with. Moving stuff.

Frank Potenza, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel Live

Ardiva

RIP Uncle Frank- you certainly did it your way.
Librablue

So sorry to hear about Uncle Frank, my thoughts are with his family. I always enjoyed his appearances on the show, he was sweet and funny. Great tribute by Jimmy.
Anonymous

Jimmy has the best late night talk show of them all and Uncle Frank was a big part of it. Very sad that he’s gone. :(
jake12

Wow… great tribute. Just lost my father to cancer, also 77 years. This made me miss him all the more… and wish I had as full a reel to play. Well done and deepest condolences to his family.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_K7EUNCEXSQ6YFGVO7AALITRTEE Rudolph

I watched Kimmel for the first time last night, just by chance. What a wonderful time to start. Sad and wonderful.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=534552770 George Mulder

Jimmy thanks for making an old mans final years so amazing, I am sure Uncle Frank loved you all the more for it!! RIP Uncle Frank, you didn’t go quietly in the night, you slid headlong into that grave with a big old smile on your face and laughter in your soul!
Bob

Saw this last night. Very moving.
Anonymous

I watched Kimmel’s tribute to his late uncle Frank, and I felt he did one hell of a great job! Having watched Kimmel over the years, I know how he treated everyone on his show. It was one class tribute and Jimmy handled it well. Condolences to Jimmy and family…..
Stoogedude

Wow. I rarely, if ever, watch Jimmy Kimmel, but now I realize how much it sucks that I never got to know Uncle Frank. That clip was hysterical and my condolences to Kimmel and his family.