Al Ruscio

Al Ruscio (June 2, 1924 – November 12, 2013) was an American character actor who appeared in numerous television shows and films.

Early life Ruscio was born in Salem, Massachusetts on June 2, 1924. He graduated from Salem High School; after graduating college he moved to New York City. During World War II, Ruscio served in the United States Army Air Corps.

Career Ruscio trained for two years at The Neighborhood Playhouse School for the Theater. as R. J. Bentson. Ruscio made repeated guest appearances on The Lawless Years, The Untouchables, The Rockford Files, Lou Grant, Barney Miller, Hill Street Blues, The A-Team, and 7th Heaven. He also had recurring roles on Falcon Crest, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Life Goes On, and Manhattan, AZ. Although typically cast in guest spots, Ruscio has co-starred in three short-lived series: Shannon (1981–1982, starring Kevin Dobson), Steambath (1983), and Joe's Life (1993).

In addition to television work, Ruscio had roles in several films including Any Which Way You Can (1980) with Clint Eastwood, Jagged Edge (1985) starring Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges, The Godfather Part III (1990), Guilty by Suspicion (1991) with Robert De Niro, Showgirls (1995) and The Phantom (1996).

Ruscio wrote a book, So Therefore …: A Practical Guide for Actors, which was published in 2012.

Ruscio married Kate Williamson in 1954, and they had four children together: Elizabeth, Michael, Maria and Nina; all of whom except Maria are also involved in show business. The couple remained married until Ruscio's death in November 2013; Williamson died one month later, on December 6, 2013.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1959 Al Capone Tony Genaro 1960 The Music Box Kid Thomas "Five Points" Morrell Uncredited 1964 Deadline for Murder Walter Sorkin 1968 Fever Heat Al Demarco 1980 The Hunter Mr. Bernardo Uncredited 1980 Any Which Way You Can Tony "Big Tony" Paoli Sr. 1983 Deadly Force Sam Goodwin 1985 Jagged Edge Carl Siegal 1987 Medium Rare Detective Hill 1989 Blood Red Antonio Segestra 1989 Romero Bishop Estrada 1989 Cage Costello 1990 The Godfather: Part III Leo Cuneo 1991 Guilty by Suspicion Ben Saltman 1991 Future Kick Kramer 1992 I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore Uncle Dominic 1994 Dickwad Mr. Leon 1994 The Silence of the Hams Phillip Morris Alternative title: Il Silenzio dei Prosciutti 1995 Showgirls Sam Karlman 1995 Xtro 3: Watch the Skies The General 1996 The Phantom Police Commissioner Farley 1998 The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon Barney's Father 2001 Boss of Bosses Carlo Gambino 2005 Complete Guide to Guys Senior Husband 2007 The Gift: Life Unwrapped Hank Alternative title: The Gift: At Risk 2008 Winged Creatures Angelo Alternative title: Fragments 2011 Goy Donald Ritter (unfinished production), (final film role) Television Year Title Role Notes 1958 Playhouse 90 Weinshank 1 episode 1959 Mr. Lucky Lieutenant 1 episode 1960 Lock-Up Willy Carson 1 episode Sea Hunt Unknown Season 3, Episode 21 Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater Pietro Poli 1 episode M Squad Freddie Canelli 1 episode Wrangler Wes Martin 1 episode 1961 Thriller Allah El-Kazim 1 episode The Islanders Rami 1 episode Peter Gunn Inspector Georges 1 episode 1962 87th Precinct Joe Brooks 1 episode Going My Way Jimmy Cipollaro 1 episode Follow the Sun Gus 1 episode 1963 Ripcord Carlo Minelli 1 episode Have Gun – Will Travel Machado 1 episode The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Dr. Taylor Season 1 Episode 22: "Diagnosis: Danger" 1964 The Greatest Show on Earth Julio 1 episode The Great Adventure Nez Coupe 1 episode Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Dimitri 1 episode 1975 The Six Million Dollar Man Chester Goddard 1 episode Marcus Welby, M.D. Judge Angelotti 1 episode Police Woman Scotto 1 episode 1976 One Day at a Time Mr. Romano 1 episode 1977 The Rockford Files Vic Cassell 1 episode Barney Miller Mr. Seldes Episode: Atomic Bomb Starsky and Hutch Roper 1 episode 1978 The Incredible Hulk Mr. Sariego 1 episode 1979 Salvage 1 Agamemnon 1 episode Fantasy Island Anton 1 episode 1980 A Rumor of War Uncle Al miniseries 1981 Hart to Hart Mr. Six 1 episode Taxi Dr. Webster 1 episode 1982 The Fall Guy Harvey 1 episode Police Squad! Dutch 1 episode T.J. Hooker Gino Minelli 1 episode 1983 Bring 'Em Back Alive Miklos 1 episode 1984 Steambath Davinci 6 episodes 1984 Highway to Heaven Petros Episode: Help Wanted: Angel 1985 The A-Team Gino Gianni 1 episode Stir Crazy Mike Forbes 1 episode Who's the Boss? Joseph 1 episode 1986 Riptide Monty Paradise 1 episode Hardcastle and McCormick Charlie Masaryk 1 episode Sledge Hammer! Don Phillip Souza 1 episode Simon & Simon Nicky Walters 1 episode The Wizard Pransk 1 episode 1987 Starman Matteo Gionetti 1 episode MacGyver Paul Webber 1 episode Brothers Uncle Charlie 1 episode 1988 Days of Our Lives Miguel Torres 13 episodes 1989 Amen Willie Garlotti 1 episode Santa Barbara R.J. Bentson Hard Time on Planet Earth Carlo Caretti 1 episode War and Remembrance Marshal Josef Stalin Miniseries 1990 The Fanelli Boys Archbishop Mosconi 1 episode 1991 Beverly Hills, 90210 Henry Silver 1 episode Ferris Bueller Tony 1 episode Dead Silence Reducci TV film Brooklyn Bridge Johnny 1 episode The Wonder Years Mr. Harris 1 episode 1992 Tequila and Bonetti Stefano 1 episode Mad About You Uncle Jules 1 episode 1993 Murder, She Wrote Santo Angelini 1 episode 1994 Seinfeld Restaurant Manager 1 episode Diagnosis: Murder John Strega 1 episode 1995 Pig Sty Father Poma 1 episode 1996 ER Mr. Dellanova 1 episode 1997 Brotherly Love Harry "Old Man" Gibbs 1 episode Malcolm & Eddie Johnny Beaumont 1 episode 1998 Tracey Takes On... Otto Cornowitz 1 episode NYPD Blue Artie Rosen 1 episode 1999 The X-Files Elder #4 2 episodes The Norm Show Father O'Haberly 1 episode 2002 First Monday Uncle Willie 2 episodes The Guardian Albert "Sparky" Walters 1 episode 2007 'Til Death Len 1 episode