Mike Holmes has helped rebuild homes on HGTV for decades. He broke his silence over a tragic ‘family’ death he’s struggling with. Keep reading for more on the heartbreaking loss.
Mike Holmes Passes Down Legacy With New Show
Mike Holmes was introduced to home construction through his father. He founded his own renovation company when he was 21. Looking to bring his work to a wider audience, he approached HGTV around 2001 about creating a new type of reality show. Holmes on Homes premiered in 2003.
Since then, the contractor has had various spinoffs. The Canadian construction worker helped rebuild New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina. Mike Holmes debuted a new HGTV show in October. In Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy, he teams up with his children, Michael and Sherry, to fix badly renovated homes. The show returns in 2026 with new episodes.
HGTV Star Breaks Silence Over Tragic ‘Family’ Death
Mike Holmes’ kids aren’t the only “family” he has. In an emotional Instagram post, he opened up about someone else he considers family – his HGTV co-star and electrician, Frank Cozzolino. According to Mike Holmes, the two first met over 25 years ago when the electrician showed up at a renovation on Holmes on Homes.
Frank Cozzolino appeared on several of the Holmes shows on HGTV. Sadly, he passed away on December 4, 2025, from complications after a liver transplant. Frank Cozzolino had a liver transplant in 2017. According to Mike Holmes, the new liver failed.
“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 on December 4,” Mike Holmes revealed about the unexpected loss.
In another Instagram post, he paid tribute to his “family” member. “I am devastated by the passing of my good friend Frank Cozzolino. “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,” Mike Holmes wrote alongside photos with his longtime friend.
The tribute continued, “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. Frank will forever be part of the Holmes family. Miss you buddy.”
Viewers Share Condolences
Frank Cozzolino last appeared on HGTV in 2024 amid his serious health issues. Fans of Holmes on Homes shared their reaction to the loss.
- “I loved the episodes he was on. You could tell he really cared about what he did.”
- “We always loved Frank on Holmes on Homes. I learned a lot by watching him talk through what he was doing, and you could tell he was a true pro who took pride in his work, as well as just a great guy.”
- “Man, such a new fan, just watched all the episodes.He was such a good guy on this hard worker”
- “He really knew his stuff. RIP Frank.”
- “He was so gifted in and professional in his craft. He seemed like a gentle soul.”
The loss of Frank Cozzolino is a difficult one for Mike Holmes and HGTV viewers. Our condolences to his friends and family.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger