Paul Regina
Regina in a publicity photograph for Brothers circa 1985
Born
Paul Joseph Regina Jr.

(1956-10-25)October 25, 1956
DiedJanuary 31, 2006(2006-01-31) (aged 49)
EducationPatchogue-Medford High School
Occupation(s)Actor
Screenwriter
Years active1976–2006
Spouse
Nancy Dye
(m. 1990)
Children1

Paul Joseph Regina Jr. (October 25, 1956 – January 31, 2006) was an American actor and occasional screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Cliff Waters in the sitcom Brothers (1984–1989), as well as his roles as Felix Echeverria in the legal drama L.A. Law (1988–1992) and Frank Nitti in The Untouchables (1993–1994).

Early life and education

Paul Joseph Regina Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Irma (née Manjarrez), an Internal Revenue Service employee, and Paul Joseph Regina, a tradesman. Raised in Medford, New York, he graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in 1974 after appearing in several school plays and musicals.

Career

Regina began working professionally on stage in an off-Broadway production of The World of Sholom Aleichem in 1976. He played Kenickie in a national touring company of the musical Grease, and later appeared briefly in the Broadway production. He appeared in several additional plays in both Los Angeles and New York City throughout his career.[1]

He began appearing on television in 1978 in the series Police Woman. He had starring roles in the television series Joe & Valerie from 1978 to 1979 with Char Fontane and Zorro and Son in 1983 with Henry Darrow.

He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of gay sibling Cliff Waters, with Robert Walden and Brandon Maggart as his two brothers, and Philip Charles MacKenzie as his best friend, in Showtime's groundbreaking 1980s sitcom Brothers, which was the first American sitcom with homosexual main characters that dealt with homosexuality in a real way. The show ran from 1984 until 1989.[2][3]

He appeared in several made-for-television movies and had guest appearances on a variety of television series. He also had a recurring role in six episodes of L.A. Law as attorney Felix Echeverria, from 1988 to 1992, and went on to appear in fifteen episodes of the 19931994 series The Untouchables, playing Frank Nitti, one of Al Capone's top henchmen.

As a writer, he co-wrote the screenplay for the 2001 film Marie with its director, Fred Carpenter. He also penned the 2006 film Eddie Monroe, co-writing the screenplay with Fred Carpenter, Craig Weintraub (writing as Craig Morris), and Thom Ross. He was one of three screenwriters (the others being Fred Carpenter and Joanne Tamburro) for Just Like Joe, released in 2008. He collaborated again with Fred Carpenter and Joanne Tamburro on the story for the 2011 film Jesse, released after his death.

Personal life and death

Regina was married to Nancy Dye, his teacher in an improv workshop, from 1990 until his death in 2006. They had a daughter, Nicolette.

After spending more than 20 years in Hollywood, he returned to his boyhood home of Medford, New York to be with his family.[4]

Regina died of liver cancer in Smithtown, New York on January 31, 2006, at the age of 49.

Filmography

Film and Television
Year Title Role Notes
1978The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesSteve1 episode: "Oh Say Can You Sing"
1978Police WomanLarry Tarash1 episode: "Sons"
1978–1979Joe & ValerieJoe PizoMain role (8 episodes)
1980A Change of SeasonsPaul Di LisiFeature film
1980HagenJess1 episode: "The Rat Pack"
1981BensonDominic1 episode: "Big Buddy"
1981The ChoiceMichael VitelaTV movie
1981Here's BoomerSteve Leckonby1 episode: "Boomer Goes for the Gold"
1981A Long Way HomeDavid Branch CzakyTV movie
1982Code RedMickey Matisse1 episode: "From One Little Spark"
1982Gimme a Break!Jonathan1 episode: "An Unmarried Couple"
1982The RenegadesJoey TateTV movie
1982Cassie & Co.Marco1 episode: "A Ring Ain't Always a Circle"
1982The Powers of Matthew StarPete1 episode: "Daredevil"
1982Tucker's WitchSven1 episode: "Big Mouth"
1982The Devlin ConnectionGary1 episode: "Love, Sin and Death at Point Dume"
1982Voyagers!Marco Polo1 episode: "The Travels of Marco... and Friends"
1983T. J. HookerLarry Coates1 episode: "The Mumbler"
1983Zorro and SonDon Carlos de Vega (Zorro Jr.)Main role (5 episodes)
1983AdamJoe WalshTV movie
1983The Awakening of CandraJulio TorresTV movie
1984–1989BrothersCliff WatersMain cast (115 episodes)
1986Adam: His Song ContinuesJoe WalshTV movie
1988–1992L.A. LawFelix EcheverriaRecurring role (6 episodes)
1990Freddy's NightmaresVinnie / Derby Brown II1 episode: "What You Don't Know Can Kill You"
1990HunterTony Scarlatti1 episode: "Son and Heir"
1990Empty NestMichael1 episode: "Lessons"
1991Equal JusticeMr. Lieberthal1 episode: "Part of the Plan"
1991Herman's HeadTed Tatum1 episode: "The Herman-ator"
1992Mann & MachineMr. Battista1 episode: "Truth or Consequences"
1992Bay City StoryTony CefaluTV movie
1993Bounty TrackerPaul DamoneFeature film
1993–1994The UntouchablesFrank NittiMain cast (42 episodes)
1995Sharon's SecretDaviesTV movie
1996It's My PartyTony ZamaraFeature film
1996Prey of the JaguarRandall BentleyFeature film
2000Law & OrderDet. Tony Renado1 episode: "Narcosis"
2001MarieNadiFeature film
2002Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJeffery Trapani1 episode: "Counterfeit"
2002The Blue LizardNickFeature film
2006Eddie MonroeMontyPosthumous release (final film role)

Author

  • Marie (Screenplay, 2001)
  • Eddie Monroe (Screenplay, 2006)
  • Just Like Joe (Screenplay, 2008)
  • Jesse (Story, 2011)

Stage

  • The World of Sholom Aleichem (Roundabout Theatre, New York City, 1976)
  • Grease (Broadway production and U.S. tour, 1976)
  • A Hundred Percent Alive (Westwood Playhouse, Los Angeles, 1979)
  • Mississippi Blue (Los Angeles Actors Theatre, Los Angeles)
  • Two Outs Bottom of the Ninth (McCadden Place Theatre, Los Angeles, 1983)
  • Wrestlers (Cast Theatre, Los Angeles, 1985)
  • Grand Junction (Coast Playhouse, Los Angeles, 1988)
  • The Sisters (Pasadena Playhouse, Los Angeles, 1995)

References

  1. "Paul Regina". Biography. CBS Interactive Inc.: tv.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  2. Buck, Jerry (June 19, 1987). "Paul Regina Plays Homosexual on 'Brothers'". Times-Union. Warsaw, Indiana. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  3. "Paul Regina: Biography". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  4. Bonilla, Denise M. "Paul Regina, 49, progressive actor, family man". News. Newsday. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
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