Thomas Francis Rosqui[2] (June 12, 1928 – April 12, 1991)[3] was an American character actor known for his versatility at portraying a variety of stage and film roles.[4]
Tom Rosqui | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas Francis Rosqui June 12, 1928 Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Died | April 12, 1991 (aged 62) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse | Erica Yohn (August 18, 1963 – April 12, 1991; his death) |
| Children | 1 (+2 stepchildren)[1] |
Early life edit
Born in Oakland, California, the son of a Portuguese mother, Sally (née Fernandes), a homemaker, and an Italian father, Thomas A. Rosqui, a traffic manager,[2] Rosqui grew up in Sacramento[5] and attended Sacramento Junior College and won a drama scholarship to the College of the Pacific, appearing in college productions and winning the school's F. Melvyn Lawson Award in dramatics.
Career edit
Rosqui's career as a professional actor began in 1951, when he appeared in St. John Terrell's Music Circus in Sacramento, appearing in a production of Show Boat.[6][7]
He went on to appear in the national touring company production of The Cocktail Party. While serving in the U.S. Navy he appeared in the Actor's Workshop in San Francisco. After discharge he moved to New York, returning to San Francisco to appear in Gift of Fury, a play by Herbert Blau, who had headed the San Francisco Actors' Workshop with Jules Irving. When Blau and Irving formed the Lincoln Center Repertory Company, he was invited to join it, performing there for two years, appearing in The Condemned of Altona and Danton's Death.[7]
He appeared on Broadway in Sticks and Bones and The Price, among other productions. He also appeared on television, but his most prominent role was as Corleone family bodyguard Rocco Lampone in the first two Godfather movies.[4] By the 1980s, he was appearing largely on stage.[5]
Personal life edit
Rosqui was married to actress Erica Yohn until his death at age 62 in 1991, following a long struggle with cancer. He was survived by a son, Yohn Rosqui, and two stepchildren.[1]
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Days of Wine and Roses | Bettor | Uncredited |
| 1966 | The Crazy-Quilt | Henry | |
| 1968 | Madigan | Man | |
| What's So Bad About Feeling Good? | Radio Cop | Uncredited | |
| The Thomas Crown Affair | Private Detective | ||
| 1971 | The Pursuit of Happiness | District Attorney Keller | |
| 1972 | The Godfather | Rocco Lampone | Uncredited |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II | ||
| 1976 | The Great Texas Dynamite Chase | Jason Morgan | |
| Raid on Entebbe | Amos Eran | TV movie | |
| 1977 | Airport '77 | Hunter | |
| MacArthur | General Sampson | ||
| Heroes | Patrolman #2 | ||
| 1978 | Shame, Shame on the Bixby Boys | Doc | |
| Lady of the House | Sergeant John Guffy | TV movie | |
| 1979 | California Dreaming | George Booke | |
| 1980 | The Night the City Screamed | Tom Burnham | TV movie |
| 1988 | Defense Play | Chief Gill | |
| 1991 | Guilty by Suspicion | Norman | (final film role) |
References edit
- ^ a b "Tom Rosqui". Variety.com. May 6, 1991. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "Tom Rosqui Biography". Filmreference.com. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
- ^ "Tom Rosqui - Broadway Cast & Staff - IBDB". ibdb.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ a b "Tom Rosqui; Versatile Actor". Los Angeles Times. 1991-04-18. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
- ^ a b Glackin, William (25 May 1986). "All The World's A Stage--Theaters Prove It". The Sacramento Bee. p. Encore 3. Retrieved September 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nine From Capital Win Plaudits in Show Boat Roles". The Sacramento Bee. 21 June 1951. p. 3. Retrieved September 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b MacNeil, William A. (November 16, 1967). "Resident Theater Called Boon to Actors". The Record. p. C-1. Retrieved 1 September 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
External links edit
- Tom Rosqui at IMDb
- Tom Rosqui at the Internet Broadway Database
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