Paul Regina

Paul Joseph Regina Jr. (October 25, 1956 – January 31, 2006) was an American actor and occasional screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Cliff Waters in the sitcom Brothers (1984–1989), as well as his roles as Felix Echeverria in the legal drama L.A. Law (1988–1992) and Frank Nitti in The Untouchables (1993–1994).

Early life and education Paul Joseph Regina Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Irma (née Manjarrez), an Internal Revenue Service employee, and Paul Joseph Regina, a tradesman. Raised in Medford, New York, he graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1974 after appearing in several school plays and musicals. Paul attended Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY.

Career Regina began working professionally on stage in an off-Broadway production of The World of Sholom Aleichem in 1976. He played Kenickie in a national touring company of the musical Grease, and later appeared briefly in the Broadway production. He appeared in several additional plays in both Los Angeles and New York City throughout his career.

He began appearing on television in 1978 in the series Police Woman. He had starring roles in the television series Joe & Valerie from 1978 to 1979 with Char Fontane and Zorro and Son in 1983 with Henry Darrow.

He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of gay sibling Cliff Waters, with Robert Walden and Brandon Maggart as his two brothers, and Philip Charles MacKenzie as his best friend, in Showtime's groundbreaking 1980s sitcom Brothers, which was the first American sitcom with homosexual main characters that dealt with homosexuality in a real way. The show ran from 1984 until 1989.

He appeared in several made-for-television movies and had guest appearances on a variety of television series. He also had a recurring role in six episodes of L.A. Law as attorney Felix Echeverria, from 1988 to 1992, and went on to appear in fifteen episodes of the 1993–1994 series The Untouchables, playing Frank Nitti, one of Al Capone's top henchmen.

As a writer, he co-wrote the screenplay for the 2001 film Marie with its director, Fred Carpenter. He also penned the 2006 film Eddie Monroe, co-writing the screenplay with Fred Carpenter, Craig Weintraub (writing as Craig Morris), and Thom Ross. He was one of three screenwriters (the others being Fred Carpenter and Joanne Tamburro) for Just Like Joe, released in 2008. He collaborated again with Fred Carpenter and Joanne Tamburro on the story for the 2011 film Jesse, released after his death.

Personal life and death Regina was married to Nancy Dye, his teacher in an improv workshop, from 1990 until his death in 2006. They had a daughter, Nicolette.

After spending more than 20 years in Hollywood, he returned to his boyhood home of Medford, New York to be with his family.

Regina died of liver cancer in Smithtown, New York on January 31, 2006, at the age of 49.

Filmography Film and Television Year Title Role Notes 1978 The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries Steve 1 episode: "Oh Say Can You Sing" 1978 Police Woman Larry Tarash 1 episode: "Sons" 1978–1979 Joe & Valerie Joe Pizo Main role (8 episodes) 1980 A Change of Seasons Paul Di Lisi Feature film 1980 Hagen Jess 1 episode: "The Rat Pack" 1981 Benson Dominic 1 episode: "Big Buddy" 1981 The Choice Michael Vitela TV movie 1981 Here's Boomer Steve Leckonby 1 episode: "Boomer Goes for the Gold" 1981 A Long Way Home David Branch Czaky TV movie 1982 Code Red Mickey Matisse 1 episode: "From One Little Spark" 1982 Gimme a Break! Jonathan 1 episode: "An Unmarried Couple" 1982 The Renegades Joey Tate TV movie 1982 Cassie & Co. Marco 1 episode: "A Ring Ain't Always a Circle" 1982 The Powers of Matthew Star Pete 1 episode: "Daredevil" 1982 Tucker's Witch Sven 1 episode: "Big Mouth" 1982 The Devlin Connection Gary 1 episode: "Love, Sin and Death at Point Dume" 1982 Voyagers! Marco Polo 1 episode: "The Travels of Marco... and Friends" 1983 T. J. Hooker Larry Coates 1 episode: "The Mumbler" 1983 Zorro and Son Don Carlos de Vega (Zorro Jr.) Main role (5 episodes) 1983 Adam Joe Walsh TV movie 1983 The Awakening of Candra Julio Torres TV movie 1984–1989 Brothers Cliff Waters Main cast (115 episodes) 1986 Adam: His Song Continues Joe Walsh TV movie 1988–1992 L.A. Law Felix Echeverria Recurring role (6 episodes) 1990 Freddy's Nightmares Vinnie / Derby Brown II 1 episode: "What You Don't Know Can Kill You" 1990 Hunter Tony Scarlatti 1 episode: "Son and Heir" 1990 Empty Nest Michael 1 episode: "Lessons" 1991 Equal Justice Mr. Lieberthal 1 episode: "Part of the Plan" 1991 Herman's Head Ted Tatum 1 episode: "The Herman-ator" 1992 Mann & Machine Mr. Battista 1 episode: "Truth or Consequences" 1992 Bay City Story Tony Cefalu TV movie 1993 Bounty Tracker Paul Damone Feature film 1993–1994 The Untouchables Frank Nitti Main cast (42 episodes) 1995 Sharon's Secret Davies TV movie 1996 It's My Party Tony Zamara Feature film 1996 Prey of the Jaguar Randall Bentley Feature film 2000 Law & Order Det. Tony Renado 1 episode: "Narcosis" 2001 Marie Nadi Feature film 2002 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Jeffery Trapani 1 episode: "Counterfeit" 2002 The Blue Lizard Nick Feature film 2006 Eddie Monroe Monty Posthumous release (final film role)

Author Marie (Screenplay, 2001) Eddie Monroe (Screenplay, 2006) Just Like Joe (Screenplay, 2008) Jesse (Story, 2011)

Stage The World of Sholom Aleichem (Roundabout Theatre, New York City, 1976) Grease (Broadway production and U.S. tour, 1976) A Hundred Percent Alive (Westwood Playhouse, Los Angeles, 1979) Mississippi Blue (Los Angeles Actors Theatre, Los Angeles) Two Outs Bottom of the Ninth (McCadden Place Theatre, Los Angeles, 1983) Wrestlers (Cast Theatre, Los Angeles, 1985) Grand Junction (Coast Playhouse, Los Angeles, 1988) The Sisters (Pasadena Playhouse, Los Angeles, 1995)