Antony Alda

Antony Alda (born Antonio Joseph D'Abruzzo; December 9, 1956 – July 3, 2009) also sometimes called "Tony", was an American actor who grew up in a popular acting family. The son of Robert Alda, he was born in France. His early studies were in Rome and he finished at The Juilliard School in New York City. A prolific actor, he appeared on stage, in film, and on television. His career culminated in writing, directing, and performing in Role of a Lifetime. He died at age 52 on July 3, 2009.

Antony Alda
Born
Antonio Joseph D'Abruzzo

(1956-12-09)December 9, 1956
St. Julien, France
DiedJuly 3, 2009(2009-07-03) (aged 52)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materJuilliard School
OccupationActor
Years active1965–2004
Spouse(s)
Leslie Clark
​
​
(m. 1975; div. 1977)​

Lori Carrell
​
​
(m. 1981; div. 1992)​
Children2
Parent(s)Robert Alda
Flora Marino
RelativesAlan Alda
(paternal half-brother)
Beatrice Alda (niece)
Elizabeth Alda (niece)

Early life

Alda was born Antonio Joseph D'Abruzzo in St. Julien, France, into what would later be called an acting dynasty.[1] His father was well-known in the United States both in film and on Broadway, where he earned a Tony. Alda's mother, Flora Martino, was an Italian actress. His half-brother was Alan Alda.[2]

About growing up within the dynasty, Alda once explained, "The theater has always been a comfortable place for me. I spent all my summers on Broadway. Dad would be in one play and Alan would be in another. I used to hang out with the lighting guys." He found that being an Alda had its professional ups and downs. "People figure you know what you're doing because you grew up around acting. Other people think you got the part because of your name."[3]

Antony Alda finished his high school studies at Notre Dame International in Rome, and completed his academic career studying musical composition at The Juilliard School in New York City.[3] Alda was married twice, first in 1975 to Leslie Clark at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City at Fifth Avenue.[4] Their reception was held at the old Biltmore Hotel. The marriage lasted until 1977. His sons were born during his marriage to actress Lori Carrell,[5] to whom he was married from 1981-1992. During this time his mother commented, "Marriage was good for Tony. It changed him and made him more mature."[1]

Career

Throughout his career, Alda played in seven films including the Oscar-winning Melvin and Howard, Homeboy, Hot Child in the City,[6] and two TV "shorts" including Bungle Abbey. He was cast in several television series and appeared in more than 200 episodes including two on Knots Landing as Rick Elliot.[7] Alda later played Johnny Corelli during two years (1990–1991) on NBC's Days of Our Lives.

Like Johnny Corelli, Alda saw himself as something of a jokester. He said, "I always played practical jokes on people." One prank involved his donning a wig and passing himself off as one of his mother's church friends to a visiting aunt.[1]

Role of a Lifetime

His most notable accomplishment is the film Role of a Lifetime released in 2001. Alda wrote, directed, and acted in the film, which is about a formerly successful actor, Bobby. Bobby seems to be egotistical at first, but is soon rendered a sympathetic persona by the starring actor, Scott Bakula. Bobby has lost his wife in the Hollywood rat race and is on his way to becoming a "has-been."[8] He has an accident that results in a disappearance long enough for Hollywood to assume he is dead and to begin to cast a movie based on his life. Bobby takes on a different identity, that of Texan Buck Steele, in order to audition for and, eventually, play himself in the movie. In the persona of Buck Steele, Bobby interacts with his ex-wife, his best friend and a mysterious old Hispanic gentleman. These experiences, while disturbing, enable Bobby to re-examine many aspects of his life. (Alda both credited and quoted Socrates in the film; he inconspicuously placed Socrates' quote "An unexamined life is not worth living" in several scenes.)[9]

Death

Antony Alda died July 3, 2009, in Los Angeles at age 52.[10] The cause of death was cirrhosis of the liver.

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1968Three Coins in the FountainGinoTV Movie
1978Nowhere to RunNeftTV Movie
FameItalian Street CopTV Movie
1980Melvin and HowardTerry
1986Smart AlecRodney
Sweet LibertyFilm Crew Member
1987Hot Child in the CityCharon
1988HomeboyRay
1991Driving Me CrazyJack
1993Killing DeviceKyle
2002Role of a LifetimeJoeyAs "Tony Alda". Also Director and writer.
2004National TreasureGuard Ferguson(final film role)

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1968Daniel BooneRudi1 Episode: "Orlando, the Prophet" Credited as "Anthony Alda"
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorGus2 Episodes: "The Treasure of San Bosco Reef: Part 1"
"The Treasure of San Bosco Reef: Part 2"
1976SwitchTerry1 Episode: "The Pirates of Tin Pan Alley"
1978ColumboMario1 Episode: Murder Under Glass
1980M*A*S*HCorporal Jarvis1 Episode: "Lend a Hand"
1981Bungle AbbeyTV Short
HomeroomCrazy WillieTV Short
CHiPsRobby BurstadTV Series; 1 Episode: "The Killer Indy"
1983Quincy, M.E.Paramedic #1TV Series; 1 Episode: "Women of Valor"
1985Knots LandingRick Elliot2 Episodes: "Rise and Fall", "A Question of Trust"
1986ThrobZeusTV Series; 1 Episode: "Pilot"
Too Close for ComfortDerrick BondTV Series; 1 Episode: "Rock Around Henry"
1987HunterDinoTV Series; 1 Episode: "Double Exposure"
1990-1991Days of Our LivesGiovanni 'Johnny' CorelliTV Series
1993RenegadeBarry MellmanTV Series; 1 Episode: "The Rabbit and the Fox"

As Writer
YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Role of a LifetimeJoey

As Director
YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Role of a LifetimeJoey

References
  1. Gliatto, Tom (1990-12-10). "Tony Alda, Alan's Half Brother, Is Angling to Make a Name for Himself as Days of Our Lives's Sexy Shark". People. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  2. "ALDA, ALAN - The Museum of Broadcast Communications". Museum.tv. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  3. Wharton, David (1990-03-02). "Actor Antony Alda Lands a Position in the Family Business". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  4. "Antony Alda, TV Actor, Marries Leslie Clark" (PDF). The New York Times. 1975-08-10. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  5. "music-downloads-info.info". Limewire.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  6. "Antony Alda - About This Person - Movies & TV". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  7. "Alan Alda Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  8. http://www.movieslead.com/Movies/Role-Of-A-Lifetime.html%5B%5D
  9. "Role of a Lifetime DVD Rental, Rent Role of a Lifetime Movie Online". Blockbuster.com. 2012-05-28. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  10. "RootsWeb: Database Index". Ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
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