Joe Santos

Joseph John Santos (née Minieri Jr.; June 9, 1931 – March 18, 2016) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as Police Sgt. (later Lt.) Dennis Becker on the NBC television series The Rockford Files (1974–80), which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Early life and education Santos was born Joseph Minieri Jr. to Italian American parents in Brooklyn on June 9, 1931. He was born the same day his father died. His mother Rose (née Sarno), sold olive oil and eventually became a nightclub owner and singer in New York City and Havana. She later married Puerto Rican singer Daniel Santos, and Joe took his name. The role earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1979. He reprised the Dennis Becker role in eight The Rockford Files television movies (1994-1999).

He portrayed Lt. Frank Harper in the TV series Hardcastle and McCormick (1985–86).

Santos appeared in various television movies during the 1970s and 1980s, including Nightside (1973), The Blue Knight (1973), The Girl on the Late, Late Show (1974), A Matter of Wife... and Death (1975), Power (1980), The Hustler of Muscle Beach (1980), The Selling of Vince D'Angelo (1983), and The Ratings Game (1984). His character was often a police detective or lieutenant. He portrayed Marty Sinatra, Frank's father, in the four-part 1992 television miniseries Sinatra.

In 1980, Santos played Norman Davis in the short-lived (10 episodes) NBC comedy Me and Maxx. In 1984, he portrayed Domingo Rivera on the ABC comedy a.k.a. Pablo, which was cancelled after six episodes.

Santos (second in the center) with Bert Rosario, Paul Rodriguez and Arnaldo Santana in a.k.a. Pablo, 1984

Santos made guest appearances on television shows throughout his acting career, including Room 222, Toma, Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco, Kung Fu, Baretta, Lou Grant, Police Story (in 8 episodes), Black Sheep Squadron, Trapper John, M.D. , The Greatest American Hero, Hill Street Blues (in 3 episodes), The A-Team, Remington Steele, T. J. Hooker, Hardcastle and McCormick (in 10 episodes), MacGyver (in 2 episodes), Magnum P.I. (in 5 episodes), Murder, She Wrote (in 2 episodes), Miami Vice, Quantum Leap, Santa Barbara (in 5 episodes), Hunter (in 2 episodes), and NYPD Blue.

From 1978 to 1980 he appeared on the CBS game show Match Game, always sitting in the top left seat.

Santos also appeared on The Sopranos as Angelo Garepe in seven 2004 episodes.

Personal life In 1958, Santos met and married Maria Montero while he was in Cuba. They were married 30 years until her death in 1988.

Filmography

Film

Television 1972: Room 222 — Season 4 Episode 6 "The Imposter" as Manny Galvez 1973: The Blue Knight — Sgt. Cruz Segovia 1973: Police Story Season 1 Episodes 12 - 13 "Countdown" — Det. Sally Pickel 1974–80: The Rockford Files — Sgt. (later Lt. in Season 5) Becker (recurring), also in 8 subsequent TV-movies (1994–99) 1975: A Matter of Wife... and Death — Lt. Promuto 1978: Black Sheep Squadron — CPO Miller Timmons (one episode) 1978-80: Match Game — Himself (multiple episodes) 1974: Kung Fu Season 3 Episode 52 "A Lamb to the Slaughter" — Señor Sanjero 1983: The Greatest American Hero — Season 3 Episode 8 "Space Ranger" as Henry Fletchner 1984: a.k.a. Pablo — Domingo Rivera (6 Episodes) 1984: Remington Steele — Alf Nussman 1984 Hunter - Season 1 Episode 3 "The Hot Grounder" as Det. Ortega 1985–86: Hardcastle and McCormick — Lt. Frank Harper 1986–87: MacGyver — Jimmy 'The Eraser' Kendall (two episodes) 1987: Murder She Wrote—Episode "The Bottom Line Is Murder"—Joe Rinaldi 1986–88: Magnum, P.I. — Police Lt. Nolan (five episodes) 1988: Miami Vice — Oscar Carrere (one episode) 1989: Quantum Leap — Tony La Palma (one episode) 1990: Sinatra — Marty Sinatra 1990: Hunter — Season 7 Episode 10 "La Familia" as Ernesto/Grandpa 1990: The Old Man and the Sea — Lopez 1993: NYPD Blue — Angelo Marino (2 episodes) 2004: The Sopranos — Consigliere Angelo Garepe (seven episodes)

Awards and nominations +CeremonyCategoryWorkResult31st Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesThe Rockford Files