ABC/BOB D'AMICORIP Uncle Frank.
Jimmy Kimmel's lovable uncle Frank Potenza, who was both a security guard and hysterical sidekick for Jimmy Kimmel Live! died earlier today a spokesperson for the show confirms to E! News. Details on his death weren't made immediately clear.
How is the show's staff handling the loss?
A spokesperson for the talk show told E! News they are mourning the loss of Frank and talked about how he got his start on the show from his famous nephew.
"It is with great sadness that the staff and crew of Jimmy Kimmel Live! mourn the loss of Uncle Frank Potenza," a rep for the show said. "[Uncle Frank] was a veteran of the Korean War who worked 20 years as a New York City police officer, 20 years as a security guard at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and five years in secuirty at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York."
It was in 2003 that Uncle Frank would become famous, after Kimmel asked him to move to Los Angeles to join his talk show that was about to start. He would be a security guard/show contributor.
The gig worked, and Frank went on to have a nine-year run, pairing up with Guillermo Rodriguez, a real-life parking lot security guard for the show.
"He was beloved by his coworkers and considered an uncle to all," said the show's spokesperson. "His kindness and humor will be missed by everyone he touched."
Kimmel has been retweeting kind tweets about his uncle, and wrote on Twitter himself today: "thank you fo ryour kind words about a very kind man- my UNcle Frank- who passed away this morning."
Kimmel's ex-girlfriend, Sarah Silverman, also tweeted about the hilarious Frank, saying: "RIP the beloved Uncle Frank. NYC cop, security guard, father to 3, husband to 1 & Uncle to everyone."
Uncle Frank is survived by his three daughters and newborn granddaughter, Franki.