Al Ruscio (June 2, 1924 – November 12, 2013) was an American character actor who appeared in numerous television shows and films.

Al Ruscio
Ruscio as Tony Paoli Sr. in Any Which Way You Can
Born(1924-06-02)June 2, 1924
Died(2013-11-12)November 12, 2013 (aged 89)
OccupationActor
Years active1958–2011
SpouseKate Williamson (1954–2013; his death)

Early life

edit

Ruscio was born in Salem, Massachusetts on June 2, 1924. He graduated from Salem High School, after graduating college he moved to New York City.[1] During World War II, Ruscio served in the United States Army Air Corps.

Career

edit

Ruscio trained for two years at The Neighborhood Playhouse School for the Theater.[1] He played many roles in New York and in summer stock, including co-starring with Steve McQueen and Kim Stanley among others. His first work in live television came in New York City. He moved to Los Angeles in 1958.[1] His first role there was Tony in Al Capone with Rod Steiger (1958). He then appeared in many television shows including Gunsmoke (1958), 77 Sunset Strip (1959), Bonanza (1960–1961), and in Peter Gunn (1961).

He also acted in soap operas including Port Charles, Days of Our Lives and Santa Barbara[2] as R. J. Bentson. Ruscio made repeated guest appearances on The Lawless Years, The Untouchables, The Rockford Files, Lou Grant, Barney Miller, Hill Street Blues, and 7th Heaven. He also had recurring roles on Falcon Crest, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Life Goes On, and Manhattan, AZ. Although typically cast in guest spots, Ruscio has co-starred in three short-lived series: Shannon (1981–1982, starring Kevin Dobson), Steambath (1983), and Joe's Life (1993).[3]

In addition to television work, Ruscio had roles in several films including Any Which Way You Can (1980) with Clint Eastwood, Jagged Edge (1985) starring Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges, The Godfather Part III (1990), Guilty by Suspicion (1991) with Robert De Niro, Showgirls (1995) and The Phantom (1996).[3]

Later years and death

edit

In the 1960s Ruscio left Los Angeles to create the drama department at the newly formed Midwestern College in Denison, Iowa. After five years there he moved to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where he was professor of acting at the University of Windsor. From there he was invited to serve as artistic director of the Academy of Dramatic Art at Oakland University, where his wife also taught acting. They moved back to Los Angeles in 1975 where they resumed their acting and teaching careers.[1] [4] [5]

Ruscio wrote a book, So Therefore …: A Practical Guide for Actors, which was published in 2012.[2]

Ruscio married Kate Williamson in 1954, and they had four children together: Elizabeth, Michael, Maria and Nina; all of whom except Maria are also involved in show business. The couple remained married until Ruscio's death in November 2013; Williamson died one month later, on December 6, 2013.

Filmography

edit
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1959 Al Capone Tony Genaro
1960 The Music Box Kid Thomas 'Five Points' Morrell Uncredited
1964 Deadline for Murder Walter Sorkin
1968 Fever Heat Al Demarco
1980 The Hunter Mr. Bernardo Uncredited
1980 Any Which Way You Can Tony Paoli Sr. ('Big Tony')
1983 Deadly Force Sam Goodwin
1985 Jagged Edge Carl Siegal
1987 Medium Rare Detective Hill
1989 Blood Red Antonio Segestra
1989 Romero Bishop Estrada
1989 Cage Costello
1990 The Godfather: Part III Leo Cuneo
1991 Guilty by Suspicion Ben Saltman
1991 Future Kick Kramer
1992 I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore Uncle Dominic
1994 Dickwad Mr. Leon
1994 The Silence of the Hams Phillip Morris Alternative title: Il Silenzio dei Prosciutti
1995 Showgirls Sam Karlman
1995 Xtro 3: Watch the Skies The General
1996 The Phantom Police Commissioner Farley
1998 The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon Barney's Father
2001 Boss of Bosses Carlo Gambino
2005 Complete Guide to Guys Senior Husband
2007 The Gift: Life Unwrapped Hank Alternative title: The Gift: At Risk
2008 Winged Creatures Angelo Alternative title: Fragments
2011 Goy Donald Ritter (unfinished production), (final film role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1958 Playhouse 90 Weinshank 1 episode
1959 Mr. Lucky Lieutenant 1 episode
1960 Lock-Up Willy Carson 1 episode
Sea Hunt Unknown Season 3, Episode 21
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater Pietro Poli 1 episode
M Squad Freddie Canelli 1 episode
Wrangler Wes Martin 1 episode
1961 Thriller Allah El-Kazim 1 episode
The Islanders Rami 1 episode
Peter Gunn Inspector Georges 1 episode
1962 87th Precinct Joe Brooks 1 episode
Going My Way Jimmy Cipollaro 1 episode
Follow the Sun Gus 1 episode
1963 Ripcord Carlo Minelli 1 episode
Have Gun – Will Travel Machado 1 episode
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Dr. Taylor Season 1 Episode 22: "Diagnosis: Danger"
1964 The Greatest Show on Earth Julio 1 episode
The Great Adventure Nez Coupe 1 episode
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Dimitri 1 episode
1975 The Six Million Dollar Man Chester Goddard 1 episode
Marcus Welby, M.D. Judge Angelotti 1 episode
Police Woman Scotto 1 episode
1976 One Day at a Time Mr. Romano 1 episode
1977 The Rockford Files Vic Cassell 1 episode
Barney Miller Mr. Seldes Episode: Atomic Bomb
Starsky and Hutch Roper 1 episode
1978 The Incredible Hulk Mr. Sariego 1 episode
1979 Salvage 1 Agamemnon 1 episode
Fantasy Island Anton 1 episode
1980 A Rumor of War Uncle Al miniseries
1981 Hart to Hart Mr. Six 1 episode
Taxi Dr. Webster 1 episode
1982 The Fall Guy Harvey 1 episode
Police Squad! Dutch 1 episode
T.J. Hooker Gino Minelli 1 episode
1983 Bring 'Em Back Alive Miklos 1 episode
1984 Steambath Davinci 6 episodes
1984 Highway to Heaven Petros Episode: Help Wanted: Angel
1985 The A-Team Gino Gianni 1 episode
Stir Crazy Mike Forbes 1 episode
Who's the Boss? Joseph 1 episode
1986 Riptide Monty Paradise 1 episode
Hardcastle and McCormick Charlie Masaryk 1 episode
Sledge Hammer! Don Phillip Souza 1 episode
Simon & Simon Nicky Walters 1 episode
The Wizard Pransk 1 episode
1987 Starman Matteo Gionetti 1 episode
MacGyver Paul Webber 1 episode
Brothers Uncle Charlie 1 episode
1989 Amen Willie Garlotti 1 episode
Santa Barbara R.J. Bentson
Hard Time on Planet Earth Carlo Caretti 1 episode
War and Remembrance Marshal Josef Stalin Miniseries
1990 The Fanelli Boys Archbishop Mosconi 1 episode
1991 Beverly Hills, 90210 Henry Silver 1 episode
Ferris Bueller Tony 1 episode
Dead Silence Reducci TV film
Brooklyn Bridge Johnny 1 episode
The Wonder Years Mr. Harris 1 episode
1992 Tequila and Bonetti Stefano 1 episode
Mad About You Uncle Jules 1 episode
1993 Murder, She Wrote Santo Angelini 1 episode
1994 Seinfeld Restaurant Manager 1 episode
Diagnosis: Murder John Strega 1 episode
1995 Pig Sty Father Poma 1 episode
1996 ER Mr. Dellanova 1 episode
1997 Brotherly Love Harry 'Old Man' Gibbs 1 episode
Malcolm & Eddie Johnny Beaumont 1 episode
1998 Tracey Takes On... Otto Cornowitz 1 episode
NYPD Blue Artie Rosen 1 episode
1999 The X-Files Elder #4 2 episodes
The Norm Show Father O'Haberly 1 episode
2002 First Monday Uncle Willie 2 episodes
The Guardian Albert 'Sparky' Walters 1 episode
2007 'Til Death Len 1 episode

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Lentz, Harris M. III (2014). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2013. McFarland. ISBN 9780786476657. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b Barnes, Mike (November 14, 2013). "Character Actor Al Ruscio Dies at 89". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Al Ruscio Biography (1924–)". filmreference.com. Retrieved 2009-05-24.
  4. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-09-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-09-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Obituary – Hollywood Reporter

edit