Frank Potenza
| Frank Potenza | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Francis Potenza November 11, 1933 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 23, 2011 (aged 77) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Uncle Frank |
| Known for | Jimmy Kimmel Live! |
Francis "Frank" Potenza (November 11, 1933 – August 23, 2011) was an American retired police officer for the New York City Police Department and former security guard. He later became a television actor for the late night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He appeared as Jimmy Kimmel's "Uncle Frank" on the ABC show as a regular from 2003 until the year of his death, 2011.
Francis Potenza was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1933. He served in the United States military during the Korean War. Potenza joined the New York Police Department (NYPD) following the war, serving as a beat cop in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn in the 62nd Precinct for 20 years. He reportedly made just six arrests during his two decades in the NYPD, believing that a lecture by the police delivered more benefits than a prison sentence.
He became a security guard and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, upon his retirement from the NYPD. He served inside Frank Sinatra's personal security detail and as bodyguard when Sinatra performed at Caesars Palace. He returned to New York City to take a security position at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.
Potenza worked security for more than ten years in New York City and Las Vegas when his nephew, comedian Jimmy Kimmel, asked him to join his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, as a regular in 2003. Potenza, who was still working security at St. Patrick's Cathedral at the time, accepted Kimmel's offer and moved to southern California. He was introduced to audiences as Kimmel's "Uncle Frank," serving as a comic foil to the late night host. Potenza appeared on the show for nine years from 2003 to 2011. Uncle Frank quickly developed his own fan following, with Kimmel noting in 2007, "People can tell that Uncle Frank is the genuine article... That's why they like him."
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