Former NYPD detective Sonny Grosso, whose work inspired ‘The French Connection,’ dead at 89
He was not on the list.
Former NYPD detective Sonny Grosso, whose police work with partner Eddie Egan was used as the plot for the classic 1971 cop flick “The French Connection,” died Wednesday. He was 89.
Grosso’s death was confirmed by his longtime friend, and former NYPD captain, Ernie Naspretto.
Grosso died in Manhattan after battling a long illness, Naspretto said.
“He had a good run,” Naspretto said of his friend.
Grosso’s foray into Hollywood began with the “The French Connection”, as he and Egan consulted on the film and served as the real-life inspiration for fictional detectives Popeye Doyle and Buddy Russo.
From 1985 to 1989, Grosso also produced a TV series (filmed
in Canada and re-broadcast on CBS) entitled Night Heat, starring Jeff Wincott
and Scott Hylands.
He went on to become a prolific producer and consultant for television and movies, working on shows such as “Kojak,” “Night Heat” and “Baretta.”
One of his lesser-known contributions to Hollywood history, Naspretto said, came as he was consulting on “The Godfather” and offered to lend a prop — his department-issued handgun.
“The gun that killed Solazzo and McCluskey in ‘The Godfather’ — from the toliet — that’s Sonny’s gun,” Naspretto said.
“He carried it to the day he died,” Naspretto said. “At my daughter’s graduation party, he had it on the table, people were taking pictures of it.”
Grosso was raised in Harlem and was a fixture at Italian restaurant RAO’s on Monday nights.
And despite all his success in Hollywood, he remained humble and loyal to his friends and family until the end of his life, Naspretto said.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1971 The French
Connection Clyde Klein
1972 The Godfather
Cop Outside Hospital Uncredited
1973 The Seven-Ups
Counterfeit Money Courier Uncredited
1975 Report to the
Commissioner Detective #1
1977 Contract on
Cherry Street Rhodes
1980 Cruising Det. Blasio
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