Michael V. Gazzo | |
|---|---|
) Michael V. Gazzo portraying Frank Pentangeli in the film The Godfather Part II | |
| Born | Michael Vincenzo Gazzo April 5, 1923 Hillside, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1995 (aged 71) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Westwood Memorial Park |
| Occupation | Playwright, actor |
| Years active | 1953–1995 |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Gazzo (3 children)[1] |
| Children | Peppi, Michael, Christopher |
Michael Vincenzo Gazzo (April 5, 1923 – February 14, 1995) was an American playwright who later in life became a film and television actor.[2] He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Godfather Part II (1974).
Biography
Gazzo was born on April 5, 1923. He was of Italian-American descent. He was a member of the Actors Studio and later trained actors such as Debra Winger, Henry Silva and Tony Sirico. He wrote A Hatful of Rain, a Broadway play about drug addiction, which ran for 389 performances in 1955 and 1956. It starred Ben Gazzara and Shelley Winters in the two lead roles, and was adapted into a film by Oscar-winning director Fred Zinnemann in 1957. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Anthony Franciosa). A 1968 made-for-television version (as a filmed play) starred Peter Falk, Sandy Dennis and Michael Parks.[3] Gazzo's other screen writing credits include the Elvis Presley American musical drama King Creole in 1958.[4] Gazzo authored the Broadway play The Night Circus, also starring Ben Gazzara.[5]
Gazzo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II.[6]
Gazzo died on February 14, 1995 at age 71 due to complications from a stroke.[7] He was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Filmography
- On the Waterfront (1954) - Bit (uncredited)
- A Man Called Adam (1966) - (uncredited)
- Out of It (1969) - Vinnie's friend
- The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971) - A Black Suit
- Crazy Joe (1974)
- The Godfather Part II (1974) - Frankie Pentangeli
- Kojak (1975) - Joel Adrian
- Brinks: The Great Robbery (1976) - Mario Russo
- Ellery Queen (Episode "The Adventure of Caesar's Last Sleep") (1976) - Benny Franks
- Welcome Back, Kotter (Season 2, Episode 12 "Hark, the Sweatkings") (1976) - Angelo DeMora
- Alice (1977) - Gino Tarantella
- Starsky and Hutch (1977) - Joe Durniak
- Barnaby Jones (1977) - Mr. Farinelli
- Baretta (1977) - Rico Giove
- Black Sunday (1977) - Muzi
- The Feather and Father Gang (Season 1, Episode 12 "The Mayan Connection") (1977) - Gutman
- Columbo episode Murder Under Glass (1978) - Vittorio Rossi
- Fingers (1978) - Ben
- King of the Gypsies (1978) - Spiro Giorgio
- Love and Bullets (1979) - Lobo
- The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979) - Harry the Trainer
- Beggarman, Thief (1979) - Sartene
- Fantasy Island (Season 3, Episode 14 "The Lookalikes/Winemaker") (1979) - Frank Lassiter
- Taxi (1979) - Vince
- Cuba Crossing (1980) - Rossellini
- Alligator (1980) - Chief Clark
- Border Cop (1980) - Chico Suarez
- Hoodlums (1980) - Gus Azziello
- Sizzle (1980)
- Magnum, P.I. episode "The Ugliest Dog in Hawaii" (1981) - Victor DiGorgio
- Back Roads (1981) - Tazio
- Body and Soul (1981) - Frankie
- The Winter of Our Discontent (1983) - Marullo
- Sudden Impact (1983) - Threlkis (uncredited)
- Cannonball Run II (1984) - Sonny
- Fear City (1984) - Mike
- Cookie (1989) - Carmine
- Beyond the Ocean (1990)
- Forever (1991)
- Ring of the Musketeers (1992)
- Last Action Hero (1993) - Torelli
- L.A. Law (1994) (episode "McKenzie, Brackman, Barnum & Bailey") (1994) - Roscoe Zambini
- Nothing to Lose (1994) - Joe (final film role)
References
- ^ Brantley, Ben (February 24, 1995). "Michael V. Gazzo, 71, Is Dead - Playwright of 'Hatful of Rain'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ^ Biography for Michael V. Gazzo at IMDb
- ^ A Hatful of Rain at IMDb
- ^ King Creole at IMDb
- ^ "The Night Circus @ John Golden Theatre". Playbill. Playbill, Inc. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ^ Folkart, Burt A. (February 25, 1995). "Michael Gazzo; Film and TV Actor, Playwright". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ^ Brantley, Ben (February 24, 1995). "Michael V. Gazzo, 71, Is Dead – Playwright of 'Hatful of Rain'". The New York Times.
Sources
- Bacarella, Michael, ItalActors: 101 Years of Italian Actors in U.S. Entertainment, The National Italian American Foundation