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Mario Roccuzzo (November 9, 1940 – October 9, 2021)[1] was an American actor, most commonly known for his episodic roles on television police dramas, although he played various parts on significant sitcoms and in films. His appearances include Hill Street Blues, Barney Miller, and NYPD Blue, as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Untouchables.[2] He had over 250 television roles, and a dozen in feature films. In addition, in 1958, Roccuzzo wrote the famous Eddie Cochran rock song, "Nervous Breakdown".[3]
Mario Roccuzzo | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 9, 1940 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | October 9, 2021 (aged 80) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960–2016 |
Biography
editRoccuzzo's parents were both actors working in an East Coast Italian repertory, inspiring him to take the acting career path at an early age. When Mario was 10, his father died and his mother relocated the family to California, where he began taking night classes for acting, first with Jeff Corey, then Corey Allen.[citation needed] In 1960, at the age of 20, he appeared, uninvited, in the office of director John Frankenheimer of Columbia Studios, asking for a chance to audition for whatever film he was making next. This led to his first big break, playing Diavolo in the film The Young Savages.[2]
Next, he played Nicky on the top television show, The Untouchables.[2] He initially became typecast in "bad guy" roles, but this gradually expanded to general roles in police/crime shows, both drama and comedy.[2]
Filmography
editThis filmography is very incomplete. For the complete list, check here.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | The Untouchables | Nicky Bousso | |
| 1961 | The Young Savages | Diavolo | Uncredited |
| 1962 | Target: The Corruptors | Tony McLaughlin | Episode: The Malignant Hearts |
| 1963 | The Lieutenant | Private Brian Barducci | Two different episodes |
| 1966 | The Monkees | Kiko | S1:E16, Son of a Gypsy |
| 1972 | All in the Family | Angelo | Episode: The Locket |
| 1974 | Wonder Woman | Walter | |
| 1976 | Serpico | Pasquale Serpico | Episode: The Deadly Game |
| 1975–77 | Police Story | Multiple characters | Four different episodes |
| 1975–77 | Baretta | Joey Perino | Two different episodes |
| 1978 | B.J. and the Bear | "High ranking suit" | Episode: The Foundlings |
| 1979 | Kaz | Episode: Conspiracy in Blue | |
| 1978–82 | Barney Miller | Multiple characters | Six different episodes |
| 1983 | Hill Street Blues | Andrews | Episode: Goodbye, Mr. Scripps |
| 1982–84 | Alice | Multiple characters | 3 different episodes |
| 1985 | Night Court | Mario Eisenhower | Episode: Halloween, Too |
| 1985 | Tales from the Darkside | Henry Colander | Episode: Anniversary Dinner |
| 1985–88 | Mr. Belvedere | Various characters | 5 different episodes |
| 1988 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Arthur Malencon | Episode: Home Soil |
| 1989 | Murder, She Wrote | Wino | Episode: Smooth Operators |
References
edit- ^ "Mario Roccuzzo Obituary (1940-2021)". Los Angeles Times. October 13, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Mario Roccuzzo Filmography". Fandango. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Pollock, Bruce (March 18, 2014). Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era. Routledge. p. 255. ISBN 9781135462963 – via Google Books.