Jilly Rizzo

Ermenegildo "Jilly" Rizzo (May 6, 1917 – May 6, 1992) was an American restaurateur and entertainer.

Career As a young man, Rizzo worked with his father delivering Italian ice to cafes. Rizzo opened Jilly's Saloon, a lounge on West 49th Street, then moved to 256 West 52nd Street at the intersection with Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. Jilly's Saloon was a popular celebrity hangout in the 1960s. Rizzo's long-time friend Frank Sinatra frequented the lounge. Rizzo later became one of Sinatra's chief aides, and was even referenced in Sinatra's adapted lyrics for "Mrs. Robinson" to avoid using the name "Jesus". Rizzo was also a frequent guest on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, where he would recite one liners in his monotone New York accent. Rizzo also appeared briefly in Sinatra's music video "L.A. Is My Lady", one of dozens of celebrity cameos in the 1983 production which received frequent airplay on the pop music cable channel VH1.

In 1990, Rizzo and five other men were convicted of fraud in relation to an $8 million loan scheme. He was given 1,000 hours of community service in a case presided over by judge Jack B. Weinstein.

Death

Rizzo was killed by a drunk driver in Rancho Mirage, CA on his 75th birthday, May 6, 1992. He is buried in Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.

Filmography + Film Year Title Role Notes 1962 The Manchurian Candidate Jilly Uncredited 1967 Tony Rome Card player Uncredited 1968 The Detective Bartender Uncredited 1984 Cannonball Run II Jilly 1985 Year of the Dragon Schiro 1987 The Pick-up Artist Casino Floor Manager 1990 Eternity Jilly (final film role)

+ Television Year Title Role Notes 1970–1971 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Himself 8 episodes 1977 The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Frank Sinatra Himself Television special 1974–1978 Kojak Various roles 2 episodes