Floyd “Uncle Floyd” Vivino (1951–2026)

Floyd Vivino, known professionally as “Uncle Floyd,” died on January 22, 2026; he was 74. A pianist, television host, and entertainer, he became a regional institution through nearly a quarter-century on the public airwaves of the New York-New Jersey markets.

Vivino grew up in northern New Jersey and developed as a pianist with a repertoire rooted in Tin Pan Alley, novelty songs, ragtime, and stride-influenced popular music. His grounding was in the entertainer-pianist tradition: comic timing at the keyboard, audience engagement, and a working knowledge of early 20th-century American songs to share. Offstage as well as on, he cultivated the persona of a neighborhood character who seemed to have wandered directly out of an old vaudeville bill or early television variety set.

The Uncle Floyd Show began in 1974 and aired in various formats through 1998. The low-budget program combined live piano performances, comedy sketches, and guest appearances, all delivered with a homespun, shoestring charm that became part of its appeal. Vivino was central to the show, accompanying himself and filling sketch transitions at the piano. He surrounded himself with a rotating cast of comics, puppets, and oddball characters.

Over its long run the program developed a loyal following and featured several performers who had national prominence, including Cyndi Lauper and Bon Jovi. David Bowie, a devoted fan, appeared with Vivino at a live taping of the show in the early 1980s, a connection Bowie later memorialized in his song “Slip Away.”

For viewers who grew up with the program, Uncle Floyd’s blend of corny jokes, musical deep cuts, and affectionate satire of show business became a touchstone, passed along through word of mouth, fan clubs, and shared VHS tapes. He became well known and appreciated in vintage music circles. Despite occasional brushes with national attention, the show’s core identity remained local and music-centered. While regional television increasingly moved toward standardized formats, The Uncle Floyd Show held on to its unique identity.

Following the conclusion of the television run, Vivino continued to perform live and remained active in New Jersey. He appeared in clubs, theaters, and civic events, tailoring his act to an informed local audience that had grown up watching him on television.