Michael V. Gazzo
| Michael V. Gazzo | |
|---|---|
Michael V. Gazzo portraying Frank Pentangeli in the film The Godfather Part II
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| Born |
Michael Vincenzo Gazzo April 5, 1923 Hillside, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1995 (aged 71) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Westwood Memorial Park |
| Occupation | Playwright, actor |
| Years active | 1953–1994 |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Gazzo (3 children) |
| Children | Peppi, Michael, Christopher |
Michael Vincenzo Gazzo (April 5, 1923 – February 14, 1995) was an American playwright who later in life became a film and television actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Godfather Part II (1974).
Gazzo was born on April 5, 1923. He was a member of the Actors Studio and would later go on to train such actors as Debra Winger, Henry Silva and Tony Sirico. He authored the gritty Broadway play about drug addiction A Hatful of Rain, which ran for 389 performances in 1955 and 1956. It starred Ben Gazzara and Shelley Winters in the two lead roles, and subsequently was adapted into a film by Oscar-winning director Fred Zinnemann in 1957. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Anthony Franciosa). A 1968 made-for-television version (as a filmed play) starred Peter Falk, Sandy Dennis and Michael Parks. Gazzo's other screen writing credits include the Elvis Presley American musical drama King Creole in 1958. He also authored the Broadway play The Night Circus starring Ben Gazzara.
As an actor, Gazzo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II. He lost to Robert De Niro, who played Vito Corleone in the same film.
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