Mario Roccuzzo (November 9, 1940 – October 9, 2021)[1] was an American actor, most commonly known for his episodic roles on television police dramas, although he played various parts on significant sitcoms and in films. His appearances include Hill Street Blues, Barney Miller, and NYPD Blue, as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Untouchables.[2] He had over 250 television roles, and a dozen in feature films. In addition, in 1958, Roccuzzo wrote the famous Eddie Cochran rock song, "Nervous Breakdown".[3]

Mario Roccuzzo
Born(1940-11-09)November 9, 1940
DiedOctober 9, 2021(2021-10-09) (aged 80)
OccupationActor
Years active1960–2016

Biography

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Roccuzzo's parents were both actors working in an East Coast Italian repertory, inspiring him to take the acting career path at an early age. When Mario was 10, his father died and his mother relocated the family to California, where he began taking night classes for acting, first with Jeff Corey, then Corey Allen.[citation needed] In 1960, at the age of 20, he appeared, uninvited, in the office of director John Frankenheimer of Columbia Studios, asking for a chance to audition for whatever film he was making next. This led to his first big break, playing Diavolo in the film The Young Savages.[2]

Next, he played Nicky on the top television show, The Untouchables.[2] He initially became typecast in "bad guy" roles, but this gradually expanded to general roles in police/crime shows, both drama and comedy.[2]

Filmography

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This filmography is very incomplete. For the complete list, check here.

Roles
Year Title Role Notes
1960 The Untouchables Nicky Bousso
1961 The Young Savages Diavolo Uncredited
1962 Target: The Corruptors Tony McLaughlin Episode: The Malignant Hearts
1963 The Lieutenant Private Brian Barducci Two different episodes
1966 The Monkees Kiko S1:E16, Son of a Gypsy
1972 All in the Family Angelo Episode: The Locket
1974 Wonder Woman Walter
1976 Serpico Pasquale Serpico Episode: The Deadly Game
1975–77 Police Story Multiple characters Four different episodes
1975–77 Baretta Joey Perino Two different episodes
1978 B.J. and the Bear "High ranking suit" Episode: The Foundlings
1979 Kaz Episode: Conspiracy in Blue
1978–82 Barney Miller Multiple characters Six different episodes
1983 Hill Street Blues Andrews Episode: Goodbye, Mr. Scripps
1982–84 Alice Multiple characters 3 different episodes
1985 Night Court Mario Eisenhower Episode: Halloween, Too
1985 Tales from the Darkside Henry Colander Episode: Anniversary Dinner
1985–88 Mr. Belvedere Various characters 5 different episodes
1988 Star Trek: The Next Generation Arthur Malencon Episode: Home Soil
1989 Murder, She Wrote Wino Episode: Smooth Operators

References

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  1. ^ "Mario Roccuzzo Obituary (1940-2021)". Los Angeles Times. October 13, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Mario Roccuzzo Filmography". Fandango. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ Pollock, Bruce (March 18, 2014). Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era. Routledge. p. 255. ISBN 9781135462963 – via Google Books.
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