Michael V. Gazzo

Michael Vincenzo Gazzo (April 5, 1923 – February 14, 1995) was an American playwright who later in life became a movie and television actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Godfather Part II.

Biography Gazzo was born on April 5, 1923. He was of Italian ancestry. Gazzo served with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He was a member of the Actors Studio and later trained actors such as Debra Winger, Henry Silva and Tony Sirico. He wrote A Hatful of Rain, a Broadway play about drug addiction, which ran for 389 performances in 1955 and 1956. It featured Ben Gazzara and Shelley Winters in the two main roles, and was adapted into a movie of the same name by Oscar-winning director Fred Zinnemann in 1957. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Anthony Franciosa). A 1968 made-for-television version (as a filmed play) featured Peter Falk, Sandy Dennis and Michael Parks. Gazzo's other screen writing credits include the Elvis Presley American musical drama movie King Creole in 1958. Gazzo authored the Broadway play The Night Circus, also featuring Ben Gazzara.

Gazzo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II but lost to Robert De Niro who played Vito Corleone in the same movie.

Death Gazzo died on February 14, 1995, at age 71 due to complications from a stroke. He was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Filmography

On the Waterfront (1954) - Bit (uncredited) A Man Called Adam (1966) - (uncredited) Out of It (1969) - Vinnie's friend The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971) - A Black Suit Crazy Joe (1974) - Mob Soldier The Godfather Part II (1974) - Frank Pentangeli Kojak (1975) - Joel Adrian Brinks: The Great Robbery (1976) - Mario Russo Ellery Queen (Season 1, Episode 20 "The Adventure of Caesar's Last Sleep") (1976) - Benny Franks Welcome Back, Kotter (Season 2, Episode 12 "Hark, the Sweatkings") (1976) - Angelo DeMora Alice (1977) - Gino Tarantella Starsky and Hutch (1977) - Joe Durniak Barnaby Jones (1977) - Mr. Farinelli Baretta (1977) - Rico Giove Black Sunday (1977) - Muzi The Feather and Father Gang (Season 1, Episode 12 "The Mayan Connection") (1977) - Gutman Columbo (Season 7, Episode 2 "Murder Under Glass") (1978) - Vittorio Rossi Fingers (1978) - Ben King of the Gypsies (1978) - Spiro Giorgio Vega$ (Season 2, Episode 7 "Dan Tanna Is Dead") (1979) - Cruger Hallow Love and Bullets (1979) - Lobo The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979) - Harry the Trainer Beggarman, Thief (1979) - Sartene Fantasy Island (Season 3, Episode 14 "The Lookalikes/Winemaker") (1979) - Frank Lassiter Taxi (1979) - Vince Cuba Crossing (1980) - Rossellini Alligator (1980) - Chief Clark Border Cop (1980) - Chico Suarez Hoodlums (1980) - Gus Azziello Sizzle (1980) Magnum, P.I. (Season 1, Episode 8 "The Ugliest Dog in Hawaii") (1981) - Victor DiGorgio Back Roads (1981) - Tazio Body and Soul (1981) - Frankie The Winter of Our Discontent (1983) - Marullo Sudden Impact (1983) - Threlkis (uncredited) Blood Feud (1983) - Johnny Masetta Cannonball Run II (1984) - Sonny Fear City (1984) - Mike Cookie (1989) - Carmine Beyond the Ocean (1990) Forever (1991) (1992) Last Action Hero (1993) - Torelli L.A. Law (1994) (episode "McKenzie, Brackman, Barnum & Bailey") (1994) - Roscoe Zambini Nothing to Lose (1994) - Joe (final film role)