HGTV Star Frank Cozzolino Dies at 56

Frank Cozzolino, an HGTV star known for appearances on shows like "Holmes on Homes" and "Holmes Family Rescue," has died. He was 56.

Cozzolino's December 4 death was confirmed by costar Mike Holmes via Instagram, along with an online obituary.

"I am devastated by the passing of my good friend Frank Cozzolino," wrote Holmes, who helmed the HGTV programs Cozzolino appeared on. He continued,

Frank made us better. His impact will live on in every home he helped. Frank could walk into the toughest electrical disaster, crack a joke in his style, and suddenly the whole room felt lighter.

"That's just who he was," Holmes continued, alongside photos of the two of them. "Frank wasn't just good at what he did—he really cared. He cared about doing it right. He cared about the people he worked with. He cared about every homeowner he helped. Frank will forever be part of the Holmes family. Miss you buddy."

"We are deeply saddened to hear of Frank Cozzolino's passing," an HGTV spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday. "Frank was an exceptional craftsman whose kindness, integrity and unwavering dedication touched every project and every person he encountered."

His Career

Cozzolino became an electrician after trying a few careers first, per his obituary. He eventually founded Solutions Electrical, which "became very successful." The obituary called the business "a testament to his hard work and perseverance."

"Frank was a kind and generous soul and was always there for his friends. No matter the cause, he would drop what he was doing to help a friend in need," the obituary said.

He is survived by his partner, Lisa, and his daughters Filomena and Alexandria.

Health Struggles

In a separate post to Instagram December 9, Holmes revealed that Cozzolino had suffered several health issues in recent years.

"Frank has gone through hell," Holmes says in the clip. "I mean he's had a liver six years ago, that liver failed, he had to go in and get another liver. It was touch and go, we thought for sure that he wasn't going to make it, and he came back. And all of a sudden due to complications, he has passed away Dec. 4."

Cozzolino got a liver transplant six years ago. That liver failed. He got another one. Pulled through when it looked bad. Then died from complications on December 4. That's a lot for one person to go through.

The Impact

Holmes's tribute makes it clear Cozzolino was more than just a coworker. He was the guy who could walk into a disaster, crack a joke, and make everyone feel better. That's a specific kind of person. The kind who makes tough jobs bearable.

"Frank wasn't just good at what he did—he really cared." That's the line that stands out. Plenty of people are good at their jobs. Fewer people genuinely care about doing it right and about the people they're working with.

Cozzolino apparently was both. Good electrician. Good person. The kind who'd drop everything to help a friend. That combination is what made him memorable on HGTV shows and what made Holmes devastated by his death.

The Reality

Cozzolino was 56. Had a partner and two daughters. Built a successful electrical business. Appeared on popular HGTV shows. Survived not one but two liver transplants before complications finally took him.

His obituary says he was "a kind and generous soul" who was "always there for his friends." Holmes says "Frank made us better" and "his impact will live on in every home he helped."

That's how people remember him. Not just as the electrician from HGTV shows, but as someone who genuinely cared about doing good work and helping people.

Another reminder that the people you see on home improvement shows are real people with real lives and real health struggles. Cozzolino fought through two liver transplants and kept working, kept helping people, kept cracking jokes to lighten the mood. Then complications from those health issues caught up with him at 56.

His partner, his daughters, his friends, his coworkers—they all lost someone who apparently made a real difference in their lives. Not because he was famous from being on HGTV, but because he was the kind of person who showed up for people and cared about doing things right.

That's what Holmes's tribute keeps coming back to. Not Cozzolino's skills as an electrician, though those mattered. But that he cared. That he made people feel better. That he helped.

"Frank will forever be part of the Holmes family. Miss you buddy."

If you watched Frank Cozzolino on HGTV, consider sharing this article or bookmarking it so others can remember the craftsman and colleague who left a lasting mark on homeowners and viewers.