Don Amendolia (born February 1, 1945, in Glassboro, New Jersey) is an American actor.

Don Amendolia
BornFebruary 1, 1945 (1945-02) (age 79)
OccupationActor

Career edit

He played Big Al Kennedy in NBC's soap opera Sunset Beach and had recurring roles on Twin Peaks, Night Court, and It's Garry Shandling's Show. He also guest-starred on Cheers, Newhart, Family Ties, Life Goes On, Valerie, Perfect Strangers, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Ellen, Seinfeld, and Law & Order.[1]

He appeared in movies like Wayne's World (1992), Fearless (1993), Ed Wood (1994), Boogie Nights (1997), and Bounce (2000).[2]

Amendolia directed one episode of Growing Pains and two episodes of Harry and the Hendersons. He has appeared on Broadway in 33 Variations, Stepping Out, and My One and Only. He directed the rotating cast of the Off-Broadway show, Wicked.[3] He also played the Wizard on the second national tour of the musical Wicked. He played his first performance on December 9, 2009, replacing Tom McGowan.[4]

Amendolia gave acting lessons and assigned workouts to the cast of the film Purple Rain.[5]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1983 Without a Trace Police Officer
1987 The Secret of My Success Executive
1992 Wayne's World Announcer
1993 Fearless Male Survivor
1994 Ed Wood Salesman
1994 Twin Sitters Pa Falcone
1995 A Walk in the Clouds Father Coturri
1997 Boogie Nights Bank Worker
2000 Bounce Infinity Attorney
2001 Skeletons in the Closet Detective Carlson Direct-to-video
2014 Lucky Stiff Uncle Tony

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Ryan's Hope Harry Quindy 3 episodes
1982 The Country Girl Ralph Television film
1983 Cheers Henry 'Hank' Zenzola Episode: "Affairs of the Heart"
1983 An Uncommon Love Romaine Television film
1984 Mama Malone Dino Forresti 13 episodes
1988 Eisenhower and Lutz Vito Episode: "Pride and Prejudice"
1988 Family Ties Tom Episode: "Beyond Therapy"
1988 Newhart Art Episode: "Goonstruck"
1988, 1992 Night Court Johnny Dugan / Mr. Barsotti 3 episodes
1989–1990 It's Garry Shandling's Show Richie
1990 Designing Women Ed Episode: "Tough Enough"
1990 Framed Ellis Television film
1990 Cop Rock Dr. Watoon Episode: "Happy Mudder's Day"
1990 Twin Peaks Emory Battis 5 episodes
1991 Valerie Phil Morton Episode: "A Sneaking Suspicion"
1991 Perfect Strangers King Ferdinand Episode: "Weekend at Ferdinand's"
1991 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Mr. Cummings Episode: "Something for Nothing"
1991 Life Goes On Producer Episode: "The Smell of Fear"
1993 L.A. Law Peter Swilling Episode: "Where There's a Will"
1993 Precious Victims Judge Television film
1994 Frasier Guard Episode: "Travels with Martin"
1994–1995 Days of Our Lives James Murchison / Maurice 3 episodes
1995 My Brother's Keeper Father Gardiner Television film
1996 Seinfeld Dennis Episode: "The Rye"
1996 Ellen Mr. Koundakian Episode: "Ellen: With Child"
1997 Sunset Beach Big Al Kennedy 7 episodes
2002 In-Laws Joe Episode: "Crown Vic"
2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Michael Carling Episode: "But Not Forgotten"
2004 Law & Order Gregory Finney Episode: "Cut"

References edit

  1. ^ "Don Amendolia". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  2. ^ "Don Amendolia". BFI. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  3. ^ "Don Amendolia Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld.com. 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  4. ^ Nicholls, Li (July 23, 2011). "Wicked conjures an elaborate witch's view of Oz before Dorothy". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  5. ^ Ro, Ronin (2011). Prince: Inside the Music and the Masks. St. Martin's Publishing Group. p. 87. ISBN 978-1429950732. Retrieved 13 November 2019.

External links edit