Danny Aiello obit

Danny Aiello Dead at 86

He was not on the list.

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3:43 PM PT -- Robert De Niro, a longtime friend of Aiello's, tells us, "I am very saddened to hear of Danny's passing. I have known him for almost 50 years. I am sad. See you in Heaven, Danny."

8:22 AM PT -- Cher just tweeted about Danny's death, saying, "Goodbye Dear Danny Aiello. Danny was a great actor, but a genius comedic actor. We laughed so much. Making Moonstruck ... It was one of the happiest times in my life & He was a part of that happy time. Goodbye Johnny Cammareri. 💋 Loretta."

8:09 AM PT -- A rep for Danny's family tells us, "It is with profound sorrow to report that Danny Aiello, beloved husband, father, grandfather, actor and musician passed away last night after a brief illness. The family asks for privacy at this time. Service arrangements will be announced at a later date."

Veteran actor Danny Aiello -- known for his scene-stealing supporting roles in many acclaimed movies since the '70s -- died Thursday night ... TMZ has learned.

According to his family ... Danny passed away at a medical facility in New Jersey where he was being treated for a sudden illness. We're told he suffered an infection related to his treatment. Danny's family had come to visit him Thursday, and we're told he died shortly after they'd left that evening.

Aiello, a native New Yorker, broke into movies in the early '70s by landing a small role in the Robert De Niro baseball drama, "Bang the Drum Slowly." He followed it up by playing Tony Rosato in "The Godfather: Part II" ... in which he delivered the famous line, "Michael Corleone says hello!"

Danny would go on to earn praise in several hit films in the '80s, like "Fort Apache the Bronx" with Paul Newman, "Once Upon a Time in America," "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Moonstruck" opposite Cher.

He gained massive critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination -- for Best Supporting Actor -- as Sal, the pizza joint owner, in Spike Lee's 1989 film, "Do the Right Thing."

Danny also acted on Broadway, and had a singing career. He released several albums with a big band sound ... including "Live from Atlantic City" in 2008.

Danny is survived by 3 children and his wife Sandy, to whom he was married since 1955.

He was 86.

RIP

Filmography

    Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) as Horse

    The Godfather Part II (1974) as Tony Rosato

    The Godmothers (1975) (uncredited)

    The Front (1976) as Danny LaGattuta

    Hooch (1977)

    Fingers (1978) as Butch

    Bloodbrothers (1978) as Artie

    Defiance (1980) as Carmine

    Hide in Plain Sight (1980) as Sal Carvello

    Fort Apache the Bronx (1981) as Morgan

    Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981) as Johnson

    Once Upon a Time in America (1984) as Police Chief Vincent Aiello

    Old Enough (1984) as Mr. Bruckner

    Deathmask (1984) as Capt. Mike Grasso

    Broadway Danny Rose (1984) (uncredited)

    The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) as Monk

    The Stuff (1985) as Vickers

    The Protector (1985) as Danny Garoni

    Key Exchange (1985) as Carabello

    Radio Days (1987) as Rocco

    Man on Fire (1987) as Conti

    The Pick-up Artist (1987) as Phil Harper

    Moonstruck (1987) as Mr. Johnny Cammareri

    Russicum - I giorni del diavolo (1988) as George Sherman

    The January Man (1989) as Captain Vincent Alcoa

    White Hot (1989) as Charlie Buick

    Do the Right Thing (1989) as Salvatore "Sal" Fragione

    Shocktroop (1989) as John Cunningham

    Harlem Nights (1989) as Phil Cantone

    Jacob's Ladder (1990) as Louis

    Madonna: The Immaculate Collection (1990) as Papa (segment "Papa Don't Preach")

    The Closer (1990) as Chester Grant

    He Ain't Heavy (1990)

    Once Around (1991) as Joe Bella

    Hudson Hawk (1991) as Tommy Five-Tone

    29th Street (1991) as Frank Pesce Sr.

    Ruby (1992) as Jack Ruby

    The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) as Tony Rosato

    Mistress (1992) as Carmine Rasso

    The Cemetery Club (1993) as Ben Katz

    The Pickle (1993) as Harry Stone

    Me and the Kid (1993) as Harry

    Léon: The Professional (1994) as Tony

    Prêt-à-Porter (1994) as Major Hamilton

    Save the Rabbits (1994) as Ronnie

    Power of Attorney (1995) as Joseph Scassi

    Lieberman in Love (1995) as Joe Lieberman

    Two Much (1995) as Gene

    City Hall (1996) as Frank Anselmo

    2 Days in the Valley (1996) Dosmo Pizzo

    Mojave Moon (1996) as Al

    Dellaventura (1997–1998, 14 episodes) as Anthony Dellaventura

    Unforgotten: Twenty-Five Years After Willowbrook as Host

    Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis (1997) as Mr. Rathbone

    The Last Don (1997) as Don Domenico Clericuzio

    A Brooklyn State of Mind (1997) as Danny Parente

    The Last Don II (1998) as Don Domenico Clericuzio

    Wilbur Falls (1998) as Phillip Devereaux

    Mambo Café (2000) as Joey

    Dinner Rush (2000) as Louis Cropa

    Prince of Central Park (2000) as Noah Cairn

    18 Shades of Dust (2001) as Vincent Dianni

    Off Key (2001) as Fabrizio Bernini

    Mail Order Bride [de] (2003) as Tony Santini

    Zeyda and the Hitman (2004) as Nathan

    The Fool (2005) as Voice of the Dummy

    Brooklyn Lobster (2005) as Frank Giorgio

    Lucky Number Slevin (2006) as Roth

    Last Request (2006) as Pop

    A Broken Sole (2006) as The Shoemaker

    Harry: A Communication Breakdown (2009) as Narrator

    Stiffs (2010) as Frank Tramontana

    Dolly Baby (2013) as Tony Lanza

    Henry & Me (2014) as Dr. Acosta (voice)

    Reach Me (2014) as Father Paul

    The Neighborhood (2017) as Joseph Donatello

    Little Italy (2018) as Carlo (Final film role)