NEW JERSEY – Floyd Vivino, the New Jersey comedian, pianist and television personality best known as the star of The Uncle Floyd Show, has died at age 74, his family announced.
Vivino’s brother Jerry Vivino wrote the following in a Facebook post early Friday morning: “With a heavy heart I am sad to announce the passing of my brother and everybody’s favorite uncle, Floyd Vivino.”
The post continued: “After a two-and-a-half-year battle with ongoing health issues, his curtain peacefully closed at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, January 22.”
Vivino was born in Paterson and spent his childhood in several North Jersey communities, including Glen Rock, where he attended high school. He became a cult television figure in the 1970s with “The Uncle Floyd Show,” a low-budget but wildly imaginative program that mixed piano comedy, offbeat humor, celebrity interviews and musical performances alongside a rotating cast of human and puppet sidekicks.
Broadcast on UHF Channel 68, the show quickly built a devoted following throughout the New York–New Jersey region and beyond. Its fans included music legends such as David Bowie and John Lennon, who were among the celebrities known to tune in during the show’s early years.
The first episode aired on January 29, 1974, making it one of the earliest locally produced cable television programs in New Jersey.
“The Uncle Floyd Show” ran for nearly three decades, ending in 2001. After it left the air, Vivino continued performing around New Jersey with live productions, including Uncle Floyd’s Wild West Show, an all-ages musical comedy revue. He later hosted a streaming program, “Uncle Floyd on the Radio.”
News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media Friday, with fans sharing memories of growing up watching “Uncle Floyd” and crediting the show with shaping their sense of humor.
The family plans a private funeral. Details on a public memorial celebration of life are expected to be announced at a later date.
