{"id":113032,"date":"2026-01-26T18:12:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/113032\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T18:12:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:12:28","slug":"remembering-comic-and-entertainer-uncle-floyd-a-friend-to-staten-island-he-died-at-74","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/113032\/","title":{"rendered":"Remembering comic and entertainer \u2018Uncle Floyd,\u2019 a friend to Staten Island. He died at 74."},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Floyd \u201cUncle Floyd\u201d Vivino, the much-adored variety show host who once ran for governor of New Jersey, died on Thursday in a rehabilitation center in Totowa, N.J. He was 74.<\/p>\n

The Paterson, N.J., native had been battling multiple health issues for more than two years, including bladder and prostate cancer in 2022, a diagnosis he had shared publicly, followed by a stroke the following year.<\/p>\n

His death was announced on social media by his brother, Jerry Vivino, who wrote:<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a heavy heart I am sad to announce the passing of my brother and everybody\u2019s favorite uncle, Floyd Vivino. After a 2 and a half year battle with ongoing health issues his curtain peacefully closed at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday January 22nd. Rest in peace big brother. You will be missed, but always remembered by friends, family and your loving fans…. 10\/19\/1951 – 01\/22\/2026 The family will be holding a private funeral with a memorial celebration of life to be announced at a future date.\u201d<\/p>\n

ABOUT \u201cUNCLE FLOYD\u201d<\/p>\n

The show hosted by Vivino, the eponymous character in \u201cThe Uncle Floyd Show,” was a cult-classic, comedy show, a blend of Soupy Sales slapstick, puppetry and musical guests.<\/p>\n

Based in New Jersey, the show that aired from 1974 to 2001, was geared for kids but also popular with adults and known for its low-budget, chaotic, and improvisational Vaudeville-style format, often featuring local talent and satire and it became a staple of NYC-area TV.<\/p>\n

He was revered by celebrities like John Lennon and David Bowie, who wrote the song \u201cSlip Away\u201d about Vivino, The Ramones, who were part of Vivino\u2019s 13,000 member fan club, and Jon Bon Jovi, also a New Jersey son.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle Floyd gave me a shot on his show first. Before anyone. Thank you Floyd. Rest easy my friend,\u201d Bon Jovi wrote on social media Friday night.<\/a><\/p>\n

Along with the message, Bon Jovi posted a clip of a 1981 appearance by his former John Bongiovi Band on Vivino\u2019s<\/a> television show.<\/p>\n

The clip showed Bon Jovi, who was still a teen at the time, singing after being introduced by Uncle Floyd.<\/p>\n

Floyd\u2019s appeal included rockers he booked on his show, including Cyndi Lauper, Elvis Costello; and Blue Oyster Cult.<\/p>\n

STATEN ISLAND CONNECTIONS<\/p>\n

Jeff Benjamin, a sports writer, explained that as a kid in the late 1970s, he found the Uncle Floyd TV show on UHF Channel 68.<\/p>\n

\"UncleBrianna Benjamin, Uncle Floyd and Jeff Benjamin wearing an Uncle Floyd T-shirt. (Courtesy\/Jeff Benjamin)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

\u201cMy friends Tom Lorenzo and Tom Petronzio formed a fan club and in 1980, we arranged for Floyd and his TV crew to do an appearance at the Great Kills Community Club. Hundreds came down,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n

Guests on the show included The Ramones, Cindi Lauper, and Jan & Dean, along with Staten Islanders like David Johansson and True Rumor drummer Bobby Moller. <\/p>\n

\u201cDavid Bowie and John Lennon were among his millions of fans and Bowie wrote a song about him – \u201cSlip Away,\u201d Benjamin added.<\/p>\n

\"UncleAt a Salute and Roast to Jack LiGreci at LiGreci’s Staaten, Michael Schnall, Uncle Floyd Vivino and Jeff Benjamin who are holding a retro T-shirt from the Uncle Floyd Show from 1979. (Staten Island Advance\/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance\"UncleJeff Benjamin and Uncle Floyd Vivino. (Courtesy\/Jeff Benjamin)Staten Island Advance\"UncleAt a Salute and Roast to Jack LiGreci at LiGreci’s Staaten are Jack LiGreci and Uncle Floyd Vivino. (Staten Island Advance\/Carol Ann Benanti)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife Roseann surprised me at my 50th birthday party by having Floyd come down,\u201d he continued. \u201cThen from 2015-2017 Uncle Floyd came down to the Brighton Kiwanis annual roast dinners at The Staaten where Floyd joined us in roasting Judge Mike Brennan, Michael McVey in 2016 and Doc Craig Campbell in 2017 and Jack LiGreci in 2018. And he also appeared regularly at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel summer festivals in Rosebank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"UncleFrom the left, Michael McVey, Uncle Floyd Vivino and Jim Hart. (Courtesy\/Brighton Kiwanis Club)Staten Island Advance\"UncleUncle Floyd Vivino and Dr. Craig Campbell. (Courtesy\/Brighton Kiwanis Club)Staten Island Advance\"UncleTommy Hart leads Michael McVey and Uncle Floyd at the 2016 McVey Roast. (Courtesy\/Brighton Kiwanis Club)Staten Island Advance\"UncleUncle Floyd Vivino at Justice Michael Brennan’s Roast at LiGreci’s Staaten. (Courtesy\/Brighton Kiwanis Club)Staten Island Advance\"UncleUncle Floyd Vivino and Steven Gross (Courtesy\/Steven Gross)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Around 1980, fan Ron Hill, a Staten Islander, recounted that around 1980 TV Guide had an article about a New Jersey UHF show called \u201cThe Uncle Floyd Show,\u201d which on the surface appeared to be a kids show but as the article stated was filled with subversive comedy. <\/p>\n

\"UncleRon Hill with his daughter Maggie and Uncle Floyd Vivino. (Courtesy\/Ron Hill)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

\u201cIn short order I found channel 68 and while the picture quality was filled with snow and static, you could see just enough… I was instantly hooked. The Uncle Floyd show was filled with daily characters, puppets, pictures on the wall, And musical acts, like The Ramones and David Johansson. And Floyd himself was no slouch on the piano, where every episode he would play some old time song or another. My grandmother, while she would like Uncle Floyd\u2019s songs, she hated the show with a passion. Every sketch was always filled with the hoots and hollers of the cast off camera like a live studio audience but with 10 drunk 1970s dudes.\u201d <\/p>\n

Hill said he got in on the Uncle Floyd show at a good moment. <\/p>\n

\u201cWithin a few years the show put out a cast album and had a late night run on NBC. By the end the \u201980s, I was working in the comic store full-time and had a social life and the Uncle Floyd show had bounced around various channels… I couldn\u2019t keep up anymore, I would still occasionally tune in but in my early days of watching it when it was appointment TV, it was much easier to understand all the . . . jokes that would carry from episode to episode.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that Uncle Floyd continued to be a nightclub performer until a few years ago when he got sick. <\/p>\n

\u201cI was lucky enough to see him several times at a local church festival on Staten Island, a mile from my home… RIP Uncle Floyd..<\/p>\n

Cartoonist Evan Dorkin posted on Instagram:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m normally not a big celebrity guy. I don\u2019t really want to meet all that many people whose work I enjoy, and most of them are cartoonists. But Floyd Vivino was, and is, and always will be someone special to me. I am and will always be an adoring fan. I feel very lucky that I got to meet him and show my appreciation to him for all the happiness he brought me. I worked so hard on the drawing of him because I wanted that appreciation and love to show through. I\u2019m a little heartbroken today.\u201d<\/p>\n

A LITTLE ABOUT VIVINO\u2019S LIFE<\/p>\n

In addition to creating and hosting the low-budget, cult-favorite variety show, Vivino appeared in films such as \u201cGood Morning, Vietnam\u201d in 1987, the TV series \u201cLaw & Order,\u201d \u201c100 Centre Sreet, the Satellite Radio program \u201cThe Wiseguys Show\u201d on Raw Dog Comedy (channel 104) hosted by former \u201cThe Soprano\u2019s\u201d cast member Vincent Pastore. <\/p>\n

Vivino performed the jingle and appeared in the TV commercial for the frontier-themed amusement park Wild West City, located in Byram Township, N.J. a jingle that is still used today by the park. <\/p>\n

He also had parts in the movies \u201cCrazy People\u201d and \u201cMr. Wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n

From 1987 to 2013, Vivino broadcast on WVIP-FM 93.5 radio from New Rochelle, where he played a wide range of Italian music on his Sunday afternoon program, \u201cThe Italian-American Serenade.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vivino claimed to have the largest collection of Italian records in the world. The program was revived on sister station WVOX 1460 AM in September 2018.<\/p>\n

From 2001 to 2004, \u201cUncle Floyd\u2019s Restaurant\u201d operated out of the Holiday Inn in Wayne, N.J., where he performed several nights a week.<\/p>\n

In January 2013, he began the internet-based radio program \u201cThe Uncle Floyd Radio Show,\u201d which can be streamed twice a week from the show\u2019s website and through various SHOUTcast mobile apps and links.<\/p>\n

Vivino hosted and starred in The Last Authentic American Traveling Burlesque Show, a tribute to the lost entertainment style of burlesque.<\/p>\n

A world-record pianist, Vivino once played non-stop for 24 hours as a way to raise funds for charity. <\/p>\n

And he ran for the governor of New Jersey as a write-in-candidate in 2009 and in 2017.<\/p>\n

VIVINO\u2019S ROOTS<\/p>\n

Vivino was born to Jerry Vivino, Sr., a jazz trumpeter, and Emily Vivino. <\/p>\n

At Glen Rock High School he produced a musical revue starring the school\u2019s janitorial staff and began his live-performance career working as a child tap dancer in Atlantic City, and began his broadcast career over a friend\u2019s pirate radio station while in high school.<\/p>\n

Vivino was the older brother of Jerry Vivino and Jimmy Vivino who were members of the Basic Cable Band, former known as the Max Weinberg 7.<\/p>\n

Vivino was also the uncle of musical theater actress Donna Vivino. <\/p>\n

\"UncleFrom the left, entertainers, Uncle Floyd Vivino, Carl Thomas, Pat Cooper, singer, Johnny Petillo, comedian Jack Fontana, and comedian\/ventriloquist, John Pizzi. (Courtesy\/Carl Thomas)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

CONDOLENCES<\/p>\n

Retired New York State Supreme Court Justice Michael Brennan: \u201cUncle Floyd Vivio\u2019s greatest gift was that he made everyone laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crooner\/entertainer Carl Thomas: \u201cThey say no one is indispensable or irreplaceable. But when it comes to the art of comedy with an Italian- American theme, no one could compare to Uncle Floyd. Comedian Pat Cooper adored him. We all adored him. I had him at every Pat Cooper birthday party – I made sure Uncle Floyd was there each and every time.\u201d <\/p>\n

Veteran Steven Gross: \u201cI met Floyd at the Mount Carmel feast years ago and then at Judge Brennan\u2019s Roast. We sat together eating dinner and he said \u2018Call me Tonto Florio.\u2019 I did that for the past years. If there\u2019s a memorial service, I want to attend for my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mike DeCataldo, treasurer Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast: \u201cUncle Floyd will be greatly missed by all including everyone who attended the annual feast who enjoyed his comedy that was really about true to life family occurrences. People loved being around Uncle Floyd. He was a good soul and loved by everyone. I would get calls to see if he was going to be at the annual feast.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Floyd \u201cUncle Floyd\u201d Vivino, the much-adored variety show host who once ran for governor…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":113033,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-113032","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-city","10":"tag-nyc","11":"tag-staten-island","12":"tag-staten-island-headlines","13":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113032"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113032\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/113033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}