Viewers fell in love with the cast of Jersey Shore in late 2009. Snooki, Jwoww, Sammi, Ron, Vinny, Angelina, Mike, Pauly, and later, Deena, were fun to watch and their wild antics entertained fans for six seasons.
But one unofficial cast member really captured hearts — Vinny’s Uncle Nino.
Antonio “Nino” Giaimo first appeared during the first season of the original series. He was quickly dubbed the OG — Original Guido — and continued appearing throughout the series.
Uncle Nino dishes out advice
Uncle Nino was famous for hitting on much younger women, including Jersey Shore cast members. “Uncle Nino is the ultimate creep,” Ron mused back in Season 5, “I think he should be in this house with us… he should get the smoosh room.”
According to Vinny, Uncle Nino has been married “like four times,” but that doesn’t stop him from giving relationship advice. At Mike and Lauren’s wedding, he insisted on advising Ron’s girlfriend and baby mama, Jen Harley, that she should “leave [Ron] the f**k alone.” Shortly thereafter, he started chanting “stop beating him up!” to Jen’s great displeasure.
Also at the wedding, Jenni’s five-year-old daughter Meilani called him a “crazy uncle.” Sometimes, it takes a child to say what’s on everyone’s mind.
Relationship advice isn’t the only type of advice Nino gives. Before Mike Sorrentino went to jail, Nino sat down for lunch with him to tell him the best ways to survive in jail. But Nino’s incomprehensible speech didn’t do much for the Situation. “I think he’s…to be honest with you, I don’t even know what he said,” Mike said of the interaction.
Vinny has a love-hate relationship with Uncle Nino
Although the rest of the cast seems to find Nino endearing, Vinny sometimes gets sick of his uncle’s antics. “He’s loud, he’s obnoxious, you can’t understand what he’s saying. His body is offensive, his tan is offensive, you can’t take him in public,” Vinny said.
Nino has a habit of surprising Vinny by turning up places unannounced, including the cast’s home in Miami. After the roommates took a short trip, they returned to find Uncle Nino sunbathing in their backyard. According to Vinny, Uncle Nino “just randomly shows up and, you know, eats my food.”
Perhaps Nino’s grandest moment came when Vinny began his run at Chippendale’s in Las Vegas. Pauly arranged for Uncle Nino to not only come to the show but also make a guest appearance — without telling Vinny. Prank war champion.
Nino does have a Twitter account, which he uses mostly for retweeting fans, and an Instagram account, but neither is verified. As far as we know, fans can expect more guest appearances by Uncle Nino in future episodes.
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation airs on Thursdays at 8/7c on MTV.