Frank Potenza

Francis Potenza (November 11, 1933 – August 23, 2011) was a police officer in the New York City Police Department and also a security guard. He later became a recurring staple on his nephew Jimmy Kimmel’s show late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their show’s premiere in 2003 until his death in 2011.

Early life and career Francis Potenza was born in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1933. 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. On September 6, Kimmel aired a special tribute episode to Uncle Frank, with an interview with Frank's favorite guest, Don Rickles. A caricature of Uncle Frank appears in tribute on the back cover of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones' album The Magic of Youth, released on December 16, 2011 (the Bosstones' lead singer, Dicky Barrett, was the announcer for Jimmy Kimmel Live!).