Michael V. Gazzo
Film and television actor (1923–1995)
Michael V. Gazzo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael Vincenzo Gazzo (1923-04-05)April 5, 1923 Hillside, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1995(1995-02-14) (aged 71) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Westwood Memorial Park |
| Occupation(s) | Playwright, actor |
| Years active | 1953–1995 |
| Spouse | 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 descent. Gazzo served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.[3][4][5] 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.[6] Gazzo's other screen writing credits include the Elvis Presley American musical drama King Creole in 1958.[7] Gazzo authored the Broadway play The Night Circus, also starring Ben Gazzara.[8]
Gazzo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II but lost to Robert De Niro who played Vito Corleone in the same film.[9]
Death
Gazzo died on February 14, 1995, at age 71 due to complications from a stroke.[10] 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) - Frank Pentangeli
- Kojak (1975) - Joel Adrian
- Brinks: The Great Robbery (1976) - Mario Russo
- Ellery Queen (Season 1, Episode 20 "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 (Season 7, Episode 2 "Murder Under Glass") (1978) - Vittorio Rossi
- Fingers (1978) - Ben
- King of the Gypsies (1978) - Spiro Giorgio
- Vega$ (Season 2, Episode 7 "Dan Tanna Is Dead") (1979) - Cruger Hallow
- 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. (Season 1, Episode 8 "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 [de] (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
- ^ 10 ICONIC MOVIE AND TV ROLES PLAYED BY WWII VETERANS www.sandboxx.us. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
- ^ Michael V. Gazzo at Amazon.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
- ^ Michael V. Gazzo at Fold3. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
- ^ 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[ISBN missing]
External links
- Michael V. Gazzo at IMDb
- Michael V. Gazzo at the Internet Broadway Database
- Michael V. Gazzo at Find a Grave
- Michael Gazzo at the University of Wisconsin's Actors Studio audio collection
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