Tough-guy actor Viterelli dead at 66
02-24-04, 10:20 AM
#1
Tough-guy actor Viterelli dead at 66
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movi....ap/index.html
Tough-guy actor Viterelli dead at 66
Played roles in 'Analyze This,' Staples ad
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- Joe Viterelli, a stocky actor whose pug face helped him land a series of roles as lovable mugs in mob flicks that included "Analyze This," its sequel, and a recent Staples ad, has died. He was 66.
Viterelli died of complications from heart surgery on January 29, said his son, film composer Joseph Vitarelli, who spells his last name differently than his father.
A jack-of-all-trades before embarking on an acting career in his 50s, Viterelli said in interviews that he once operated a string of music schools started by his family in Queens. He later ran bars, drove a truck and had a job drilling bowling-ball holes, he said.
A New York City native, Viterelli moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. He became friends with director Leo Penn, who thought Viterelli's tough-guy features would play well in movies and television.
Viterelli initially declined to get into acting, but years later, the director's son, Sean Penn, called about his 1990 gangster tale "State of Grace."
Viterelli accepted the role and established himself as a dependable character actor, appearing in several dozen movies, including "Bullets Over Broadway," "Mobsters" and "Shallow Hal."
Tough-guy actor Viterelli dead at 66
Played roles in 'Analyze This,' Staples ad
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- Joe Viterelli, a stocky actor whose pug face helped him land a series of roles as lovable mugs in mob flicks that included "Analyze This," its sequel, and a recent Staples ad, has died. He was 66.
Viterelli died of complications from heart surgery on January 29, said his son, film composer Joseph Vitarelli, who spells his last name differently than his father.
A jack-of-all-trades before embarking on an acting career in his 50s, Viterelli said in interviews that he once operated a string of music schools started by his family in Queens. He later ran bars, drove a truck and had a job drilling bowling-ball holes, he said.
A New York City native, Viterelli moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. He became friends with director Leo Penn, who thought Viterelli's tough-guy features would play well in movies and television.
Viterelli initially declined to get into acting, but years later, the director's son, Sean Penn, called about his 1990 gangster tale "State of Grace."
Viterelli accepted the role and established himself as a dependable character actor, appearing in several dozen movies, including "Bullets Over Broadway," "Mobsters" and "Shallow Hal."
02-24-04, 10:35 AM
#3
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
I was going to post the story from Reuters, but I checked the IMDB and they indicate he died on January 28th.
So, either the IMDB is a month early or this news is a month late...
So, either the IMDB is a month early or this news is a month late...
Talk about a face that would stand out.
02-24-04, 02:10 PM
#6
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02-24-04, 03:06 PM
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
I worked with Jelly on the Analyze This films, and what a super guy he was to deal with. I was a low level PA, but he was just a lot of fun, and really took the time to get to know everyone on set if he could. Unfortunately, it was apparent that he wasn't long for this earth, he was not in the best of health for Analyze That. But God rest his soul, he was a good man and a fun actor.
02-24-04, 03:07 PM
#8
Moderator
Originally posted by devilshalo
Isn't he in that Staples commercial tho? That's pretty recent...
Isn't he in that Staples commercial tho? That's pretty recent...
This is sad news. I especially liked him in the short-lived series, The Strip.
