Abe Vigoda

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

February 24, 1921

Died

January 26, 2016 (age 94)

Place of Birth

New York City, New York, USA

Also Known As

Abraham Charles Vigodah

ایب ویگودا

Abe Vigoda

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.

Known For

Filmography

2016FilmThe Godfather: The Complete Epic 1901–1959as Salvatore "Sal" Tessio (uncredited)2013FilmCutaways2008FilmThe Unknown Trilogyas Uncle Morty (segment "Frankie the Squirrel")2006FilmFarce of the Penguinsas Penguin from Boca (voz)2003FilmLate Night with Conan O'Brien: 10th Anniversary Specialas Self2003FilmCrime Spreeas Angelo Giancarlo2003TVTV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV2000FilmTea Cakes or Cannoli2000TVDeadlineas Joseph Spiaggio2000FilmChump Changeas The Frog1999TVThe Norm Show1999TVFamily Guyas Abe Vigoda (voice)1998FilmWitness to the Mobas Paul Castellano1998FilmJust the Ticketas Arty1998FilmA Brooklyn State of Mindas Uncle Guy1997FilmGood Burgeras Otis1997FilmFarticusas Zeus1996FilmA Christmas Journey Homeas Grandpa1996TVPromised Land1996FilmUnderworldas Will Cassady1996FilmLove Is All There Isas Rudy1995FilmJury Dutyas Judge Powell1995FilmThe Misery Brothersas Don Frito Layleone1994TVTouched by an Angelas Receptionist Angel1994FilmNorthas Alaskan Grandpa1994TVWeird Science1994FilmSugar Hillas Gus Molino1994FilmHome of Angels1993FilmBatman: Mask of the Phantasmas Salvatore Valestra (voice)1993TVDiagnosis: Murderas Alfredo Bartolo / Al Bartell / Mr. Johnson1993FilmMe and the Kidas Pawn Broker1993TVLate Night with Conan O'Brienas Self (uncredited)1993FilmFist of Honoras Victor Malucci1992TVMad About Youas Kalman Wertzel1992TVLucky Lukeas Judge Rinehart1992TVThe Adventures of the Black Stallion1990TVLaw & Orderas Detective Landis1990FilmNight of 100 Stars IIIas Self1990TVWingsas Harry1990FilmKeaton's Copas Louis Keaton1990FilmJoe Versus the Volcanoas Chief of the Waponis1989FilmPranceras Orel Benton1989FilmLook Who's Talkingas Grandpa1989TVB.L. Strykeras Clayton Baskin1988TVMonsters1988TVSuperboy1988FilmPlain Clothesas Mr. Wiseman1986FilmVasectomy: A Delicate Matteras Abe1985TVMacGyveras Bill Cody1985FilmThe Stuffas Stuff Commercial Spokesman1984TVMurder, She Wroteas George1984TVTales from the Darksideas Jake Corelli1984FilmCannonball Run IIas Caesar1981FilmThe Big Stuffed Dogas Carnival Pitchman1981TVHarper Valley1980FilmGridlockas Herb1979TVThe Littlest Hobo1979FilmDeath Car on the Freewayas Mr. Frisch1979TVB. J. and the Bear1979TVSupertrain1979TV$weepstake$as Anthony1978FilmHow to Pick Up Girls!as Nathan Perlmutter1978TVVega$1978FilmThe Comedy Companyas Jake1978FilmThe Cheap Detectiveas Sergeant Rizzuto1977TVMario Puzo's The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Televisionas Salvatore "Sal" Tessio (uncredited)1977TVThe Love Boatas Charlie Fletcher1977TVEight Is Enough1977TVFishas Phil Fish1976FilmDean Martin's Red Hot Scandals of 1926as Self1976FilmHaving Babiesas Al Schneider1976TVThe Captain and Tennilleas Self - Guest1976FilmJoysas Self1976TVThe Bionic Woman1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Cameo (uncredited)1975TVBarney Milleras Philip Fish1974FilmThe Godfather Part IIas Salvatore 'Sal' Tessio1974TVTony Orlando and Dawnas Self1974TVDinah!as Self1974TVThe Rockford Filesas Al Dancer1974FilmNewman's Lawas John Dellanzia1974FilmThe Story of Pretty Boy Floydas Dominic Morrell1974TVTattletales1973FilmThe Don Is Deadas Don Talusso1973TVKojakas Kilty1973FilmTomaas Donzer1973TVToma1973FilmThe Devil's Daughteras Alikhine1972TVThe Sandy Duncan Show1972TVThe Rookies1972FilmThe Godfatheras Sal Tessio1971TVCannonas Mr. Couzellous1969TVLove, American Styleas Mr. Burdick (uncredited)1968TVHawaii Five-Oas Abe Kemper1967TVMannixas Anton Valine1966TVDark Shadows1965FilmThree Rooms in Manhattanas Waiter (uncredited)1962TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self1961TVThe Mike Douglas Showas Self1950TVThe Bob Hope Showas Self1949TVSuspense1948TVStudio Oneas Old Train Passenger

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