Tough and volatile-looking Italianate character actor Alex Rocco was born in Boston and spent time training with such notable teachers as Leonard Nimoy and Jeff Corey to curb his thick Boston accent. In Hollywood from 1963, he worked as a bartender during the lean years and began his TV career in the late 60s. Slowly, he came to show sly, lethal menace in "big city" films and, in the next decade, ...
show all Tough and volatile-looking Italianate character actor Alex Rocco was born in Boston and spent time training with such notable teachers as Leonard Nimoy and Jeff Corey to curb his thick Boston accent. In Hollywood from 1963, he worked as a bartender during the lean years and began his TV career in the late 60s. Slowly, he came to show sly, lethal menace in "big city" films and, in the next decade, notably played Las Vegas syndicate boss Moe Green who gets a bullet in the eye during the violent "christening sequence" of Mario Puzo's Oscar-winning "The Godfather (1972)". Finding a comfortable niche playing various swarthy-looking cronies, hoods and cops, he made a distinct impression when he switched to TV comedy and, in the late 80s, won an Emmy for "The "Famous Teddy Z, The" (1989)" during the 1989-1990 season. Other comedy series such as "Sibs" (1991)" and "George Carlin Show, The" (1994)" came and went with over 400 TV appearances racked up so far. Recurring roles on "Simpsons, The" (1989)" and "Facts of Life, The" (1979)" (as Nancy McKeon's father) has kept him alive, as well. Rocco has appeared in two films helmed by his son, screenwriter and director Marc Rocco: "Scenes from the Goldmine (1987)" and "Dream a Little Dream (1989)". Other memorably flashy film roles include "Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)", "The Freebie and the Bean (1974)", "Stunt Man (1980)", "Lady in White (1988)", "Get Shorty (1995)" and "Just Write (1997)".
hide 
Movies news:
