Edward Rudolph Mekjian (June 14, 1952 – November 27, 2021), known professionally as Eddie Mekka, was an American actor, best known for his role as Carmine Ragusa on the hit television sitcom Laverne & Shirley.
Eddie Mekka | |
|---|---|
 Mekka at a Chiller Theatre convention in 2005 | |
| Born | Edward Rudolph Mekjian[1] June 14, 1952 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 27, 2021 (aged 69) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–2018 |
| Spouses | DeLee Lively
(m. 1983; div. 1992)Yvonne Marie Grace (m. 1994) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life edit
Mekka was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Mariam (née Apkarian), a dry cleaning presser, and Vahe Vaughn Mekjian, a factory worker.[1][2][3] His family was of Armenian and Italian descent. His father was a World War II veteran.[4] He graduated from Burncoat High School and attended the Berklee College of Music.[5]
Career edit
In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts, teaching young people how to sing.[5] After performing on Broadway in The Lieutenant, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award,[6] he moved to Los Angeles.[7] He landed the role of Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa for Laverne & Shirley in 1976, acting on the series until its 1983 cancellation.[6]
Mekka starred in roughly 50 TV shows and movies throughout his career. His television credits included 24, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Bold and the Beautiful, and as Detective Murdoch in the Fox television movie Catch Me If You Can.[8] He had a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed 1992 film, A League of Their Own as the dance partner of Mae (Madonna) in the bar.[7][9]
Onstage, he performed in Hairspray at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada,[10] and in a national tour of Grease with Cindy Williams.[11][12] Mekka returned to off-Broadway theatre on July 15, 2008, starring in Steve Solomon's long-running comedy My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy! at the Westside Theatre.[8]
Mekka had regular solo singing performances for many years from the 1990s into the 2000s throughout the Naples[13] and the Fort Lauderdale, Florida areas.
Mekka reunited with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You.[14][15]
In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film Code Enforcer. He starred opposite Erin Moran of Happy Days.[16]
In 2010, Mekka starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, New York, from April 29 until June 20.[17][18]
Personal life edit
Mekka was married to actress DeLee Lively from 1983 to 1992. He married Yvonne Marie Grace in 1994. Together they had one daughter, Mia.[19]
Mekka died in Newhall, Santa Clarita, California, on November 27, 2021, at the age of 69.[20][21][22]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Assignment Berlin | Soghomon Tehlirian | |
| 1988 | Bum Rap | Sammy | |
| 1989 | Beaches | Actor 3 | |
| 1992 | A League of Their Own | Mae's Guy in Bar | |
| 1997 | Top of the World | Joe Burns | |
| 2003 | Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star | Himself | Cameo |
| 2004 | Land of the Free? | Jerry | |
| 2006 | The Last Stand | Art | |
| 2006 | Dreamgirls | Club Manager | |
| 2006 | Love Made Easy | Mobo | |
| 2007 | Stuck in the Past | Grandpa | |
| 2008 | Dirty Jokes the Movie | Direct-to-video | |
| 2009 | C Me Dance | Lowell | |
| 2013 | Through a Mother's Eyes | Dr. Henry Myer | |
| 2014 | Heaven Help Us | Chuck | Short film |
| 2017 | Diary of a Lunatic | Mr. Karnofsky | |
| 2017 | Silver Twins | Rabbi | |
| 2017 | Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel | Himself | |
| 2018 | Hail Mary! | Danny Morelli | Final role |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976–1983 | Laverne & Shirley | Carmine Ragusa | 150 episodes |
| 1977 | Blansky's Beauties | Joey DeLuca | 13 episodes |
| 1977–1979 | Happy Days | Carmine Ragusa | 2 episodes |
| 1979 | Greatest Heroes of the Bible | Uri | Episode: "The Story of Esther" |
| 1979–1982 | The Love Boat | Bert Brodie / Jason Clark / Stanley Corson / Mike | 3 episodes |
| 1979–1983 | Fantasy Island | Charles / Ken Jason / Johnny Detroit / Wilbur Wilson | 3 episodes |
| 1981 | The 6th Annual Circus of the Stars | Himself (performer) | Television special |
| 1982 | The 7th Annual Circus of the Stars | Himself (performer) | Television special |
| 1989 | Moonlighting | Guido Viola | Episode: "In 'N Outlaws" |
| 1989 | True Blue | Elvis fanatic | Episode: "Oldies, But Goodies" |
| 1990 | Mulberry Street | Vincent Savoia | Television pilot |
| 1990 | The Munsters Today | Mr. Sweetzer | Episode: "The Reel Munsters" |
| 1990–1994 | Family Matters | Mr. Nutting / Charlie | 2 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | Guiding Light | Grady | Unknown episodes |
| 1993 | Taking the Heat | Barbaro | Television film |
| 1994 | The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. | Gus | Television film |
| 1994 | California Dreams | Uncle Frank | Episode: "Harley and the Marlboro Man" |
| 1995 | Dream On | Mel | Episode: "Significant Author" |
| 1995 | The Laverne & Shirley Reunion | Himself | Television special |
| 1996 | Weird Science | Tommy Svachino | Episode: "Men in Tights" |
| 1997 | The Big Easy | Joey LaVern | Episode: "Heavenly Body" |
| 1998 | The Jamie Foxx Show | Danny | Episode: "It's All Good, Fellas" |
| 1998 | Sunset Beach | Summons Process Server | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Deadly Game | Det. Murdoch | Television film |
| 2002 | Power Rangers Wild Force | Don | Episode: "The Tornado Spin" |
| 2002 | Laverne & Shirley: Together Again | Himself | Television special |
| 2005 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Las Vegas Minister | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | 24 | Ned | Episode: "Day 5: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m." |
| 2006 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Bobby Thunderson | Episode: "Hundred Dollar Baby" |
| 2007 | Crossing Jordan | James Talbot | Episode: "Shattered" |
| 2007 | The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Western Director | Episode: "The Suite Life Goes Hollywood: Part 2" |
| 2008 | Pastor Greg | FJ | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | ER | Jenkins | Episode: "Under Pressure" |
| 2011 | The Young and the Restless | Bud | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Childrens Hospital | Frankie | Episode: "Wisedocs" |
References edit
- ^ a b Gates, Anita (5 December 2021). "Eddie Mekka, a Star of 'Laverne & Shirley,' is Dead at 69". The New York Times.
- ^ Smith, Kat (February 22, 2013). "Eddie Mekka: One-Man Show". Naples Illustrated. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ O'Donnell, Monica M. (September 1985). Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television. Cengage Gale. ISBN 9780810302419.
- ^ Kappes, Serena (February 4, 2003). "Former 'Laverne & Shirley' star Eddie Mekka still singing, dancing". CNN. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ a b Duckett, Richard (February 16, 2011). "Young love led Eddie Mekka to Worcester County Light Opera stage". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ a b Lawler, Sylvia (May 22, 1993). "MEKKA HAUNTED BY HIS 'LAVERNE & SHIRLEY' CHARACTER". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ a b Dillon, Nancy (December 19, 2018). "Penny Marshall was a generous mentor to 'Laverne & Shirley' co-star who played Carmine 'The Big Ragu' Ragusa". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ a b Fitzgerald, TJ (July 8, 2008). "Mekka The Big Ragu Gets Therapy in The Big Apple". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
- ^ Wong, Wilson (2 December 2021). "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley' actor, dies at 69". NBC News. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (March 28, 2006). "Paul Vogt and Eddie Mekka Are New Stars of Las Vegas Hairspray on May 1". Playbill. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ Ehren, Christine (June 16, 2000). "Laverne & Shirley"'s Williams & Mekka Star in Westbury Grease June 16–18". Playbill. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ Potempa, Philip (December 3, 2010). "'Laverne & Shirley' star Eddie Mekka here to star in hit Broadway musical". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ "Save the Date". Naples Florida Weekly. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (October 31, 2008). ""Laverne & Shirley" Stars Williams and Mekka to Reunite for It Had to Be You". Playbill. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ^ Byrne, Terry (May 27, 2014). "Song-and-dance man Eddie Mekka back on familiar turf". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ O'Connell, Joe (October 13, 2008). "Shortcake and the Big Ragu Invade Lakeway!". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 6, 2010). "Eddie Mekka Leads Fiddler on the Roof at Engeman Theater". Playbill. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ Jacobson, Aileen (May 7, 2010). "God and Family, and the Changes to Come". The New York Times. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ Wardr, Tommy (January 22, 2012). "R-JENERATION: Performing a family affair for actor Eddie Mekka". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley's' Carmine Ragusa, Dies at 69". Extra. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley' Star and Tony Award Nominee, Dies at 69". The Hollywood Reporter. 2 December 2021.
- ^ Laverne & Shirley actor Eddie Mekka dead at 69 of unknown causes
