From his iconic local TV show to his friendship with David Bowie, we look back at the life of a Paterson original

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paterson NJ, New Jersey has lost its favorite uncle. Floyd Vivino, the iconic comedian, musician, and creator of the cult-classic The Uncle Floyd Show, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026. He was 74 years old.

The news was confirmed by his brother, Jerry Vivino, who shared that the “curtain peacefully closed” for the legendary entertainer following a courageous two-and-a-half-year battle with multiple health issues.

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A True Paterson Original

Born in Paterson, NJ, in 1951, Floyd Vivino was the embodiment of Garden State grit and humor. Clad in his signature porkpie hat and plaid jacket, he became a household name through the low-budget, high-energy “The Uncle Floyd Show.”

Running from 1974 to 2001, the show was a chaotic, brilliant mix of puppets (like the famous Oogie), vaudeville sketches, and musical performances. It was “must-watch” local cable for a generation of fans in the New Jersey and New York area.

The Man Who Charmed Legends: Bowie, Lennon, and The Ramones

While Floyd was a local hero, his influence reached the highest levels of rock royalty.

• David Bowie: The “Starman” was a massive fan, eventually writing the song “Slip Away” in 2002 as a tribute to the show. Bowie once told Floyd he discovered the show because John Lennon recommended it.

• The Ramones: The punk pioneers name-dropped him in their 1981 track “It’s Not My Place.”

• The Silver Screen: Floyd’s talent took him to Hollywood, where he appeared alongside Robin Williams in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and took roles in Law & Order.

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“Deep in the Heart of Jersey”

Floyd didn’t just live in Jersey; he celebrated it. His parody anthem, “Deep in the Heart of Jersey,” remains a quintessential state favorite, poking fun at the local landscape with lyrics like:

“The dumps in June ain’t like perfume… But it’s my state, I think it’s great!”

Even as he battled a stroke in 2023, along with bouts of cancer and COVID-19, his primary regret remained his inability to take the stage. In a late 2024 interview, he remarked, “The worst part is not having any show to do.”

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Remembering a Local Icon

The outpouring of grief from the community has been immense. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh reflected the feelings of many, stating, “Uncle Floyd was like family to me… one of the funniest Patersonians to ever live has left this life.”

Floyd Vivino spent decades performing up to 300 shows a year, bringing laughter to fire halls, theaters, and living rooms across the state. While the cameras have stopped rolling on The Uncle Floyd Show, his legacy as the king of Jersey comedy is forever secure.

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