Abe Vigoda
Acting
Biography
Tall, dour-faced and slouch-shouldered character actor Abraham Charles Vigoda (February 24, 1921 – January 26, 2016) proved himself in both gritty dramatic roles, and as an actor with wonderful comedic timing. Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Lena (Moses) and Samuel Vigoda, both Russian Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor on the Lower East Side. He made his first stage appearance at the age of 17 and plodded away in small theater shows for over 20 years. For the majority of film-goers, Vigoda first came to prominence in The Godfather (1972) as the double-crossing Tessio, pleading with Robert Duvall to get him off the hook "for old times' sake." He also appeared in its sequel. Vigoda had roles in a few nondescript TV films before landing the plum part of Sgt. Phil Fish on the brilliant sitcom Barney Miller (1974). Perhaps his best known role, Sgt. Fish proved popular enough to be spun off to his own (short-lived) series Fish (1977). With his long face and unusual looks, Vigoda remained in high demand in mafioso-type roles, and for a while in the mid-1980s, he was mistakenly believed to have been dead, leading producers to remark, "I need an Abe Vigoda type actor," not realizing Vigoda was still alive and well. The 1990s and beyond became busy again for him, with appearances in North (1994), The Misery Brothers (1995), A Brooklyn State of Mind (1998), and Crime Spree (2003). He continued acting into his 90s, surprising audiences with his entertaining style. Abe Vigoda died in his sleep on January 26, 2016 in Woodland Park, New Jersey.
Born: February 24, 1921
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA
Known For
Filmography
as Uncle Morty (segment "Frankie the Squirrel")
as Penguin from Boca (voice)
as Angelo Giancarlo
as Joseph Spiaggio
as The Frog
as Abe Vigoda (voice)
as Paul Castellano
as Arty
as Uncle Guy
as Otis
as Zeus
as Will Cassady
as Rudy
as Judge Powell
as Don Frito Layleone
as Receptionist Angel
as Alaskan Grandpa
as Gus Molino
as Salvatore Valestra (voice)
as Alfredo Bartolo / Al Bartell / Mr. Johnson
as Pawn Broker
as Victor Malucci
as Kalman Wertzel
as Judge Rinehart
as Detective Landis
as Self
as Harry
as Chief of the Waponis
as Louis Keaton
as Orel Benton
as Grandpa
as Clayton Baskin
as Mr. Wiseman
as Bill Cody
as Stuff Commercial Spokesman
as George
as Jake Corelli
as Caesar
as Salvatore "Sal" Tessio (uncredited)
as Carnival Pitchman
as Herb
as Mr. Frisch
as Nathan Perlmutter
as Jake
as Sergeant Rizzuto
as Salvatore "Sal" Tessio (uncredited)
as Charlie Fletcher
as Phil Fish
as Al Schneider
as Self
as Self
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
as Philip Fish
as Det. Phil Fish (uncredited)
as Det. Phil Fish
as Salvatore 'Sal' Tessio
as Self
as Al Dancer
as Phil 'The Dancer' Gabriel
as John Dellanzia
as Dominic Morrell
as Don Talusso
as Kilty
as Donzer
as Alikhine
as Sal Tessio
as Mr. Burdick (uncredited)
as Abe Kemper
as Anton Valine
as Waiter (uncredited)
as Self
as Old Train Passenger