Michael V. Gazzo
Born
Michael Vincenzo Gazzo

(1923-04-05)April 5, 1923
Hillside, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedFebruary 14, 1995(1995-02-14) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeWestwood Memorial Park
Occupation(s)Playwright, actor
Years active1953–1995
SpouseGrace Gazzo (3 children)[1]
ChildrenPeppi, 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.[2] He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Godfather Part II (1974).

Biography

Gazzo was born on April 5, 1923. He was of Italian-American descent. Gazzo served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.[3][4][5] He was a member of the Actors Studio and later trained actors such as Debra Winger, Henry Silva and Tony Sirico. He wrote A Hatful of Rain, a Broadway play about drug addiction, which ran for 389 performances in 1955 and 1956. It starred Ben Gazzara and Shelley Winters in the two lead roles, and 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.[6] Gazzo's other screen writing credits include the Elvis Presley American musical drama King Creole in 1958.[7] Gazzo authored the Broadway play The Night Circus, also starring Ben Gazzara.[8]

Gazzo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II.[9]

Death

Gazzo died on February 14, 1995, at age 71 due to complications from a stroke.[10] He was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ Brantley, Ben (February 24, 1995). "Michael V. Gazzo, 71, Is Dead - Playwright of 'Hatful of Rain'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  2. ↑ Biography for Michael V. Gazzo at IMDb
  3. ↑ 10 ICONIC MOVIE AND TV ROLES PLAYED BY WWII VETERANS www.sandboxx.us. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  4. ↑ Michael V. Gazzo at Amazon.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  5. ↑ Michael V. Gazzo at Fold3. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  6. ↑ A Hatful of Rain at IMDb
  7. ↑ King Creole at IMDb
  8. ↑ "The Night Circus @ John Golden Theatre". Playbill. Playbill, Inc. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  9. ↑ Folkart, Burt A. (February 25, 1995). "Michael Gazzo; Film and TV Actor, Playwright". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  10. ↑ Brantley, Ben (February 24, 1995). "Michael V. Gazzo, 71, Is Dead – Playwright of 'Hatful of Rain'". The New York Times.

Sources

  • Bacarella, Michael, ItalActors: 101 Years of Italian Actors in U.S. Entertainment, The National Italian American Foundation
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