Chick Vennera obit

Chick Vennera Dies: ‘Thank God It’s Friday’, ‘The Golden Girls’ Actor Was 74

 

 He was not on the list.

Chick Vennera, a prolific actor and voice actor perhaps most recognizable for his scene-stealing disco dance performance atop parked cars in the 1978 hit comedy Thank God It’s Friday, died from cancer yesterday at his home in Burbank.

Vennera, who voiced characters for Animaniacs and Batman Beyond, among many other series, and appeared during the late 1980s in the recurring role of Enrique on the NBC sitcom The Golden Girls, was 74. His death was confirmed by his daughter Nicky Vennera.

Born Francis Vennera in Herkimer, New York, the actor known professionally as Chick Vennera moved to California after high school, studying at the Pasadena Playhouse. After a stint in the Army, Vennera returned to the West Coast to perform musically in nightclubs and, for two years, as a singer and dancer in the Disney on Parade tour. He also toured in the national company of Grease as well as performing a stint in the musical on Broadway during the early 1970s.

Vennera began a long and busy TV career with appearances in 1975 on the dramas Lucas Tanner and Baretta. He recurred the following year on the miniseries Arthur Hailey’s the Moneychangers and Once an Eagle.

The actor garnered significant attention for his performance as Marv Gomez, a disco devotee clad in a head-to-toe brown leather leisure suit in the comedy Thank God It’s Friday starring Donna Summer. In his most memorable scene, a stoned Gomez climbs atop parked cars outside the disco and performs an athletic, cartwheeling dance routine to the delight of onlookers. “Dancing!,” he proclaims after falling through the roof of one car. “Everything else is bullsh*t!”

Subsequent credits would include a recurring role in the 1978-81 Robert Urich drama series Vega$, as well as appearances in such series as T.J. Hooker, Diff’rent Strokes and Night Court. In 1979 he was featured in the John Schlesinger film Yanks starring Richard Gere.

In 1988, he was cast in a significant role in Robert Redford’s Milagro Beanfield War, and the following year returned to television with two roles in The Golden Girls, the first as a boxer and the second, in a two-episode arc, as an egotistical reporter named Enrique Mas.

Vennera had a prolific career in the 1990s as a voice actor, working on animated series including Capitol Critters, Batman: The Animated Series, The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain.

He also founded and taught at Los Angeles’ Renegade Theatre and Film Group.

 

In addition to his daughter, Vennera is survived by his wife Suzanne Vennera.

1978      Thank God It's Friday      Marv Gomez aka the Leatherman            

1979      Yanks    Danny  

1981      High Risk              Tony     

1988      The Milagro Beanfield War           Joe Mondragon                

1991      The Terror Within II         Kyle       

1991      McBain                 Roberto Santos

1997      Time Under Fire                Spitz     

1999      Wakko's Wish    Pesto     Voice

1999      Final Voyage      Dennis

2000      Intrepid                Ellerson               

2005      Glass Trap           Paolo    

Television Year Title       Role       Notes

1978-1980          Vega$    Mitch Costigian                

1985-1987          The Jetsons        Additional voices             

1986      Foofur   Sam       Voice

1986      Diff'rent Strokes               Spider  

1989      The Golden Girls               Pepe/Enrique    3 episodes

1993-1998          Animaniacs         Pesto     Voice

1996-1997          The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest       Lorenzo                Voice

1998      JAG        Benny Turpin     2 episodes

2000      That's Life            Luciano                

2000      Batman Beyond                Chauffeur            Episode: "Ace in the Hole"; Voice

2002-2004          Static Shock        Ferrett Voice