Tony Giorgio
Tony Giorgio (born Joseph Anthony Giorgio; September 27, 1923 – February 1, 2012) was an Italian-American actor[2] and magician[3] and known for his portrayal of Bruno Tattaglia in Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 film The Godfather.[4]
Tony Giorgio | |
---|---|
Born | Joseph Anthony Giorgio September 27, 1923 Herkimer, New York, U.S. |
Died | February 1, 2012 88) Van Nuys, California, U.S. | (aged
Burial place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) |
Occupation | Actor, magician |
Years active | 1966–2004 |
Spouse(s) | Kaye S. Jacobs-Giorgio (1971–2012) (his death)[1] |
He also appeared in films such as Black Gunn (1972), Magnum Force (1973),[2] Foxy Brown (1974), Capone (1975), Escape to Witch Mountain (1975), The Sting II (1983), The Lonely Guy (1984), Night Train to Terror (1985) and American Me (1992).[2] He played the part of a dealer in the episode entitled "The System" in Mission Impossible, Season 3, and originated the role of 'Big Julie' in the stage musical Guys and Dolls.[5]
In addition to acting, Giorgio was also a prolific stage magician and card manipulator, running away from home at the age of 12 to join a circus and performing at venues including conventions and fraternal clubs to country clubs, casinos, and film studios. He was one of first performers at The Magic Castle nightclub, winning Close-up Magician of the Year in the 1990s. He was hired by Playboy Clubs in the 1960s to be their resident gambling expert, and he gave paid lectures on the nature of confidence games and gambling scams.
He died of heart failure.[6]
Filmography
Film
- A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966) – Steamboat (uncredited)
- Sol Madrid (1968) – Tall Man (uncredited)
- The Wrecking Crew (1968) – Agent (uncredited)
- Changes (1969) – Joe, Arcade Owner (uncredited)
- Paint Your Wagon (1969) – Card Player (uncredited)
- The Godfather (1972) – Bruno Tattaglia
- Black Gunn (1972) – Ben
- Harry in Your Pocket (1973) – 1st Detective
- Magnum Force (1973) – Frank Palancio
- Foxy Brown (1974) – Eddie
- Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) – Hunter No 2
- Capone (1975) – Antonio Lombardo
- Record City (1978) – Mr. F
- The Sting II (1983) – Rossovich (Macalinski's Man)
- The Lonely Guy (1984) – Writer at Party
- Night Train to Terror (1985) – Satan (segment "The Night Train")
- Cry Wilderness (1987) – Sheriff
- American Me (1992) – Don Antonio Scagnelli
- My Brother Jack (1997) – Rocco
Television
- Run for Your Life (1967) – Castro; 1 episode
- Mannix (1967) – Sanford; 1 episode
- The Monkees (1968) – Otto; 1 episode
- The Outcasts (1968) – Card Dealer; 1 episode
- Mission: Impossible (1969–1971) – Dealer / Foyer Guard / First Man / Meerghan / Croupier; 7 episodes
- I Dream of Jeannie (1970) – Torpedo; 1 episode
- The Doris Day Show (1971) – Ed the Maître d'; 1 episode
- Jigsaw (1973) – Man; 1 episode
- Marcus Welby, M.D. (1974) – Vito; 1 episode
- Police Story (1974) – Cashier; 1 episode
- The F.B.I. (1974) – M. Giorgio; 1 episode
- Adam-12 (1975) – Michael Funicello; 1 episode
- Emergency! (1975) – Lorenzo; 1 episode
- Bronk (1975) – Killer; 1 episode
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1975) – Abe Collins; 1 episode
- Kojak (1975) – Bill Wilson; 1 episode
- Switch (1975) – Bruno; 1 episode
- The Bionic Woman (1976) – Aaron Creighton; 1 episode
- Charlie's Angels (1978) – Carl; 1 episode
- Columbo (1978) – Harry Parkman; 1 episode
- Fantasy Island (1980) – Croupier; 1 episode
- B. J. and the Bear (1981) – Magician; 1 episode
- Hart to Hart (1981) – Cheshire; 1 episode
- Simon & Simon (1982) – Sam Boyle; 1 episode
- Falcon Crest (1984) – Croupier; 1 episode
- The A-Team (1984) – Mr. Carlin; 1 episode
- Hunter (1985) – John Vincent; 1 episode
- Moonlighting (1985) – Tony; 1 episode
- Brothers (1986) – Mr. Santini; 1 episode
- The Practice (2004) – Client #1; 1 episode (final appearance)
References
- ""Godfather" actor, magician Tony Giorgio dies, 88 -". 2012-03-26.
- "Ton Giorgio". The New York Times. 2019-09-13.
- "Tony Giorgio. Actor, magician, grifter and legend". Remarkable Magic. 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
- "The Godfather". The New York Times.
- ""Godfather" actor, magician Tony Giorgio dies, 88 -". 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
- Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012. 2013-04-19. ISBN 9781476603858.