Michael.V. Gazzo
(1923 - 1995)Like John Huston, Michael V. Gazzo came into acting from another area of show business. Originally a stage actor, he successfully made the transition to playwright/writing. Stockily built with a robust personality and a voice that was a combination tenorish rasp and gargle he was an engaging personality. He was born Michael Vincente Gazzo in Hillside, New Jersey on April 5, 1923. After a stint in the Air Force during World War II he returned to New York and attended Erwin Piscator's Dramatic Workshop of the New School. His biggest success as playwright was "A Hatful of Rain" (1968) which ran on Broadway and was made into a film in 1957. He also wrote the screenplay to Elvis Presley's film "King Creole" (1958). To the movie-going public he was an accomplished actor who was equally adept at playing "good guys" or "bad guys." Among his film acting credits were: "On the Waterfront" (1954) in a bit part, his film debut; "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" (1971) as a Black Suit; "The Godfather Part II" (1974) as Frankie Pentangeli, his most successful role which drew an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor; "Black Sunday" (1977) as Muzi; ''Fingers" (1978) as Ben; "King of the Gypsies" (1978) as Spiro Giorgio; "Love and Bullets" (1979) as Lobo; "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" (1979) as Harry the Trainer; "Alligator" (1980) as Chief Clark; "Sudden Impact" (1983) as Threlkis; "The Last Action Hero" (1993) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, as Torelli and "Nothing to Lose" (1994) as Joe, his last theatrical film. He also starred in TV movies including: "Beggarman, Thief" (1979); "Sizzle" (1981) and "Blood Feud" (1983). On TV he guest starred on series including: "Welcome Back, Kotter"; "Starsky and Hutch"; "The Fall Guy"; "L.A. Law" and "Taxi." He died on February 14, 1995 of a stroke in Hillside, New Jersey at age 71.
From Great Character Actors, Page 3.
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