RIP Uncle Frank: 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Favorite Passes Away at 77

Jimmy Kimmel Live! staple Uncle Frank passed away this morning at the age of 77. The faux security guard was an audience favorite on the show for his simple East Coast charm and old school way with words.

“It is with great sadness that the staff and crew of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ mourn the loss of ‘Uncle Frank’ Potenza,” said ABC reps in a statement.

“He was beloved by his co-workers and considered an Uncle to all.”

According to CNN, Potenza was a "Korean War veteran who served 20 years as a New York City police officer. He worked for 20 years as a security guard at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and five years at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York."

Interestingly enough, according to Wikipedia, Potenza was also once a personal security guard for Frank Sinatra.

Jimmy Kimmel Tweeted these comments about Potenza today:

“Thank you for your kind words about a very kind man — my Uncle Frank — who passed away this morning."

According to ABC, Uncle Frank has three daughters and a newborn granddaughter, as well as millions of fans around the world, to whom he will always be an uncle.

Watch some of Uncle Frank's best moments: