It’s definitely been a week for good-byes.
My daughters and I spent the weekend in the beautiful, still somewhat quaint small town of Auburn, California, helping to lay to rest and celebrate the life of my dear aunt Mary Pascuzzi, my fraternal grandmother’s sister, who was the centered matriarch of her own family and a stabilizing force for all of us in her extended family as well. She, and my grandmother, were big fans of classic-era American movies and enthusiastically encouraged my interest, just one reason why they’re both held dear in my heart and in my memory. And being Italian, they both had more than a casual interest in The Godfather when it came out in 1972. I remember my aunt Mary talking to me about having seen it and wondering, me at the ripe old age of 12, if I’d had a chance to go yet.
My daughters and I spent the weekend in the beautiful, still somewhat quaint small town of Auburn, California, helping to lay to rest and celebrate the life of my dear aunt Mary Pascuzzi, my fraternal grandmother’s sister, who was the centered matriarch of her own family and a stabilizing force for all of us in her extended family as well. She, and my grandmother, were big fans of classic-era American movies and enthusiastically encouraged my interest, just one reason why they’re both held dear in my heart and in my memory. And being Italian, they both had more than a casual interest in The Godfather when it came out in 1972. I remember my aunt Mary talking to me about having seen it and wondering, me at the ripe old age of 12, if I’d had a chance to go yet.
- 7/23/2015
- by Dennis Cozzalio
- Trailers from Hell
By Lee Pfeiffer
Alex Rocco, whose hard scrabble life on the streets of Boston prepared him to successfully play crime figures in films and on television, has died from pancreatic cancer at age 79. During his youth, Rocco ran with the notorious Winter Hill Gang, which was founded by the infamous Whitey Bulger. His association with the gang led him to be incarcerated as well as being suspected of having driven a getaway car used in a murder. At one point, his first wife was almost killed when a bomb exploded in a car she was driving. Rocco, who was born Alexander Petricone Jr, took the stage name of "Rocco" on a whim when he saw a bakery truck bearing the Rocco name on it. Fearing that his associations of the Boston mob would lead to his demise, he spontaneously decided to move to Hollywood. He took an acting class that was taught by Leonard Nimoy,...
Alex Rocco, whose hard scrabble life on the streets of Boston prepared him to successfully play crime figures in films and on television, has died from pancreatic cancer at age 79. During his youth, Rocco ran with the notorious Winter Hill Gang, which was founded by the infamous Whitey Bulger. His association with the gang led him to be incarcerated as well as being suspected of having driven a getaway car used in a murder. At one point, his first wife was almost killed when a bomb exploded in a car she was driving. Rocco, who was born Alexander Petricone Jr, took the stage name of "Rocco" on a whim when he saw a bakery truck bearing the Rocco name on it. Fearing that his associations of the Boston mob would lead to his demise, he spontaneously decided to move to Hollywood. He took an acting class that was taught by Leonard Nimoy,...
- 7/23/2015
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
George Coe, one of Saturday Night Live‘s original “Not Ready for Primetime Players,” died on Saturday after a long illness, our sister site Variety reports. He was 86.
RelatedAlex Rocco, of The Famous Teddy Z and Facts of Life, Dead at 79
Following SNL’s freshman run, Coe appeared in TV series such as (but not limited to) the CBS sitcom Goodnight, Beantown, Hill Street Blues, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Max Headroom, L.A. Law, the ABC sitcom Working and The West Wing.
Coe returned to his SNL stomping grounds as recently as 1986, playing a judge in the infamous “Get a Life!
RelatedAlex Rocco, of The Famous Teddy Z and Facts of Life, Dead at 79
Following SNL’s freshman run, Coe appeared in TV series such as (but not limited to) the CBS sitcom Goodnight, Beantown, Hill Street Blues, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Max Headroom, L.A. Law, the ABC sitcom Working and The West Wing.
Coe returned to his SNL stomping grounds as recently as 1986, playing a judge in the infamous “Get a Life!
- 7/20/2015
- TVLine.com
Alex Rocco, a veteran character actor most famous for starring in Hollywood classic "The Godfather," has died. He was 79.
Rocco's daughter, Jennifer Rocco, revealed the actor's passing in a series of Facebook posts, writing that her father passed away on July 18 after a long, private battle with cancer. Jennifer Rocco thanked his fans for their support, writing, "I know he is watching over us."
Alex Rocco's prolific career spanned decades, but the actor became synonymous with "The Godfather," the 1972 Oscar-winning film in which he played casino owner Moe Greene. In a 2012 interview with The A.V. Club, Rocco said that that role was "without a doubt, my biggest ticket anywhere. I mean that literally."
Rocco parlayed that fame into a lengthy, eclectic resume in both film and television. He starred most recently on Starz series "Magic City," "Episodes," and "Maron," and also appeared on shows including "The Simpsons," "The Facts of Life,...
Rocco's daughter, Jennifer Rocco, revealed the actor's passing in a series of Facebook posts, writing that her father passed away on July 18 after a long, private battle with cancer. Jennifer Rocco thanked his fans for their support, writing, "I know he is watching over us."
Alex Rocco's prolific career spanned decades, but the actor became synonymous with "The Godfather," the 1972 Oscar-winning film in which he played casino owner Moe Greene. In a 2012 interview with The A.V. Club, Rocco said that that role was "without a doubt, my biggest ticket anywhere. I mean that literally."
Rocco parlayed that fame into a lengthy, eclectic resume in both film and television. He starred most recently on Starz series "Magic City," "Episodes," and "Maron," and also appeared on shows including "The Simpsons," "The Facts of Life,...
- 7/20/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Actor Alex Rocco died of cancer this weekend at the age of 79, Variety reports. Rocco went from being a "wannabe gangster" as a kid in a rough Boston neighborhood to playing an actual gangster in Francis Ford Coppola's classic film The Godfather. The actor, who trained under Leonard Nimoy in the 1960s, starred in dozens of films and TV shows and won an Emmy Award in 1990 for his turn as a Hollywood agent in The Famous Teddy Z. Though he had a career replete with roles as heavies, thugs, cops, and entertainment big shots, he remains best known for his performance as Las Vegas casino owner Moe Greene in The Godfather. Greene’s untimely demise at the behest of Al Pacino's Michael Corleone during the baptism/murder climax — one of the great scenes of American cinema — signifies the changing of the regime, as Michael literally and symbolically becomes the Godfather.
- 7/19/2015
- by Greg Cwik
- Vulture
Character actor Alex Rocco has died at the age of 79.
His daughter Jennifer Rocco announced his passing on Facebook. No other details of his death have been announced at this time.
Born Alexander Federico Petricone in 1936, Rocco made his film debut in 1965's Motorpsycho but became known for his appearance as mobster and Las Vegas casino owner Moe Greene in 1972's The Godfather.
Rocco later went on to star in many more films and TV shows over the years, including roles in Tom Hanks' That Thing You Do!, The Simpsons and Pixar's A Bug's Life.
More recently, he starred as Jennifer Lopez's father in The Wedding Planner, and appeared as Dick LeBlanc in Episodes.
The actor took home an Emmy Award in 1990 for his role as a Hollywood agent in The Famous Teddy Z.
Rocco is survived by his wife, actress Shannon Wilcox, his daughter Jennifer and his son Lucien.
His daughter Jennifer Rocco announced his passing on Facebook. No other details of his death have been announced at this time.
Born Alexander Federico Petricone in 1936, Rocco made his film debut in 1965's Motorpsycho but became known for his appearance as mobster and Las Vegas casino owner Moe Greene in 1972's The Godfather.
Rocco later went on to star in many more films and TV shows over the years, including roles in Tom Hanks' That Thing You Do!, The Simpsons and Pixar's A Bug's Life.
More recently, he starred as Jennifer Lopez's father in The Wedding Planner, and appeared as Dick LeBlanc in Episodes.
The actor took home an Emmy Award in 1990 for his role as a Hollywood agent in The Famous Teddy Z.
Rocco is survived by his wife, actress Shannon Wilcox, his daughter Jennifer and his son Lucien.
- 7/19/2015
- Digital Spy
Alex Rocco, the Emmy-winning character actor best known for playing wise guys like the Las Vegas casino owner Moe Green in “The Godfather,” died Saturday at age 79. His daughter Jennifer Rocco announced the news on her Facebook page; no cause of death was mentioned. He won an Emmy Award in 1990 for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for playing an abrasive Hollywood agent Al Floss in the short-lived CBS sitcom “The Famous Teddy Z.” Also Read: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2015 (Photos) The show starred Jon Cryer and was based on the true story of Jay Kantor’s up-from-the-mailroom rise in the.
- 7/19/2015
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Alex Rocco, an Emmy Award winner for his turn as seasoned colleague to Jon Cryer’s Famous Teddy Z in the 1989 CBS sitcom, died on Saturday at the age of 79.
The veteran actor’s daughter Jennifer shared the news via her Facebook page, saying, “Rip Dad, be with Mom and [their son] Marc….I will see you but not for a while….” A cause of death was not given.
Perhaps best known as casino owner Moe Greene in the original Godfather film, Rocco’s myriad TV credits included the 1975 CBS drama Three for the Road, episodes of Police Story, The Rockford Files and Starsky & Hutch,...
The veteran actor’s daughter Jennifer shared the news via her Facebook page, saying, “Rip Dad, be with Mom and [their son] Marc….I will see you but not for a while….” A cause of death was not given.
Perhaps best known as casino owner Moe Greene in the original Godfather film, Rocco’s myriad TV credits included the 1975 CBS drama Three for the Road, episodes of Police Story, The Rockford Files and Starsky & Hutch,...
- 7/19/2015
- TVLine.com
Less than a week after the roles were announced at Comic-Con, The CW’s Arrow has cast both Mr. Terrific and Anarky.
PhotosArrow Season 2.5 Finale First Look: Malcolm Plots Sara’s Murder
Echo Kellum, whose TV credits include Ben & Kate and Sean Saves the World, will play Curtis Holt aka Mr. Terrific. Though his namesake in DC Comics lore — Michael Holt, the second Mr. Terrific — was an Olympic decathlete/black belt/all-around brainiac (but not Brainiac) and eventual Justice Society leader, Arrow will introduce Curtis as a tech whiz who works for Felicity at Palmer Technologies, EW.com reports.
PhotosArrow Season 2.5 Finale First Look: Malcolm Plots Sara’s Murder
Echo Kellum, whose TV credits include Ben & Kate and Sean Saves the World, will play Curtis Holt aka Mr. Terrific. Though his namesake in DC Comics lore — Michael Holt, the second Mr. Terrific — was an Olympic decathlete/black belt/all-around brainiac (but not Brainiac) and eventual Justice Society leader, Arrow will introduce Curtis as a tech whiz who works for Felicity at Palmer Technologies, EW.com reports.
- 7/17/2015
- TVLine.com
Alex Rocco, best known for his role as gangster Moe Greene in The Godfather, returns to his mobster roots as Carmine Falcone in Batman: Year One, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies.
The appearance in a Dark Knight-related project brings Rocco’s 44-year career full circle. The Massachusetts-born actor, who was once an adjunct member of Boston’s Winter Hill Gang, got his first on-screen role in the 1960s Batman television series.
Rocco appeared as the thug Block in the back-to-back episodes “A Piece of the Action” and “Batman’s Satisfaction,” which premiered on March 1 and 2, 1967. The episodes also featured the first true crossover appearance of Green Hornet and Kato on the Batman series (aside from a cameo popping out a window in the first season).
Since then, Rocco has been seen on primetime in everything from Get Smart, The F.B.I. and...
The appearance in a Dark Knight-related project brings Rocco’s 44-year career full circle. The Massachusetts-born actor, who was once an adjunct member of Boston’s Winter Hill Gang, got his first on-screen role in the 1960s Batman television series.
Rocco appeared as the thug Block in the back-to-back episodes “A Piece of the Action” and “Batman’s Satisfaction,” which premiered on March 1 and 2, 1967. The episodes also featured the first true crossover appearance of Green Hornet and Kato on the Batman series (aside from a cameo popping out a window in the first season).
Since then, Rocco has been seen on primetime in everything from Get Smart, The F.B.I. and...
- 10/20/2011
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
The appearance in a Dark Knight-related project brings Rocco’s 44-year career full circle. The Massachusetts-born actor, who was once an adjunct member of Boston’s Winter Hill Gang, got his first on-screen role in the 1960s Batman television series. Rocco appeared as the thug Block in the back-to-back episodes “A Piece of the Action” and “Batman’s Satisfaction,” which premiered on March 1 and 2, 1967. The episodes also featured the first true crossover appearance of Green Hornet and Kato on the Batman series (aside from a cameo popping out a window in the first season). Since then, Rocco has been seen on primetime in everything from Get Smart, The F.B.I. and Kojak to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Rockford Files and Baretta. He has had recurring roles on The Facts of Life, The Famous Teddy Z, Sibs, The George Carlin Show and The Division. His voice is easily...
- 10/12/2011
- ComicBookMovie.com
The appearance in a Dark Knight-related project brings Rocco’s 44-year career full circle. The Massachusetts-born actor, who was once an adjunct member of Boston’s Winter Hill Gang, got his first on-screen role in the 1960s Batman television series. Rocco appeared as the thug Block in the back-to-back episodes “A Piece of the Action” and “Batman’s Satisfaction,” which premiered on March 1 and 2, 1967. The episodes also featured the first true crossover appearance of Green Hornet and Kato on the Batman series (aside from a cameo popping out a window in the first season). Since then, Rocco has been seen on primetime in everything from Get Smart, The F.B.I. and Kojak to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Rockford Files and Baretta. He has had recurring roles on The Facts of Life, The Famous Teddy Z, Sibs, The George Carlin Show and The Division. His voice is easily...
- 10/12/2011
- ComicBookMovie.com
NEW YORK -- Universal-owned digital network Trio will transform its Brilliant but Canceled programming stunt into its primetime anchor in September. First introduced by the pop-culture channel as a monthlong initiative in December, Brilliant replayed such short-lived but critically acclaimed TV series as Profit, Kolchak: The Night Stalker and The Famous Teddy Z. Although which series will return has yet to be determined, Trio will schedule them at 8 p.m. weekdays. The network, available to 18 million homes, also said it will tweak its brand with a new logo and tag line. Previously described as "popular arts television," Trio's new tag line is "pop, culture, tv." Trio president Lauren Zalaznick believes the change emphasizes the network's embrace of the medium as a cultural force. "We're the first channel to celebrate TV as an art form," she said.
- 4/16/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Classic episodes of Late Night With David Letterman are coming to primetime courtesy of Trio, which announced a new programming slate Tuesday. The digital cable network owned by Vivendi Universal acquired 80 episodes from Letterman's days at NBC, including the Feb. 1, 1982, series premiere. Trio will begin running hourlong versions of Late Night in a 53-hour Thanksgiving marathon before giving it a primetime berth weeknights at 10 p.m. starting in January. In June, Trio began packaging eight to 12 hours of original programming in select months under such themes as concert performances and controversial art. The December banner will be Brilliant, but Canceled month, devoted to progressive but short-lived TV programming. To back the banner, Trio acquired an eclectic bunch of canceled series, including Action (Fox, 1999), The Famous Teddy Z (CBS, 1989-90) and Gun (ABC, 1997), which includes an episode starring James Gandolfini of The Sopranos.
- 10/23/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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