Mario Roccuzzo obit

Mario Roccuzzo Obituary

 He was not on the list.

Mario Roccuzzo died Saturday October 9th in Hollywood from failing health at age 81 following a 50 year career in acting.Born in Boston, to performing parents, the family moved to Hollywood in 1955, his first role in The Young Savages (1961).By the 80's he had done most TV cop shows and several comedies. In 1958, Mario wrote the famous Eddie Cochran song, "Nervous Breakdown."Survived by his son, Michael by a previous marriage to Harriet Lietz, daughter in law, Connie, grandchildren, Samantha, Vanessa, his sister Diana Ensley, nieces Jennifer Smith (Bartley), Kathleen Allison (William) great nephew, Nathan Allison, great niece, Gemma Allison.

As an actor, most commonly known for his episodic roles on television police dramas, although he played various parts on significant sitcoms and in films. His appearances include Hill Street Blues, Barney Miller, and NYPD Blue, as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation and The Untouchables. He had over 250 television roles, and a dozen in feature films. In addition, in 1958, Roccuzzo wrote the famous Eddie Cochran rock song, "Nervous Breakdown"

Roccuzzo's parents were both actors working in an East Coast Italian repertory, inspiring him to take the acting career path at an early age. When Mario was 10, his father died and his mother relocated the family to California, where he began taking night classes for acting, first with Jeff Corey, then Corey Allen. In 1960, at the age of 20, he appeared, uninvited, in the office of director John Frankenheimer of Columbia Studios, asking for a chance to audition for whatever film he was making next. This led to his first big break, playing Diavolo in the film The Young Savages.

 

Filmography

This filmography is very incomplete. For the complete list, check here.

 

Roles

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1960    The Untouchables            Nicky Bousso

1961    The Young Savages            Diavolo            Uncredited

1962    Target: The Corruptors            Tony McLaughlin            Episode: The Malignant Hearts

1963    The Lieutenant            Private Brian Barducci            Two different episodes

1966    The Monkees            Kiko            S1:E16, Son of a Gypsy

1972    All in the Family            Angelo            Episode: The Locket

1974            Wonder Woman            Walter 

1976    Serpico            Pasquale Serpico            Episode: The Deadly Game

1975–77            Police Story            Multiple characters            Four different episodes

1975–77            Baretta            Joey Perino  Two different episodes

1978    B.J. and the Bear            "High ranking suit"            Episode: The Foundlings

1979    Kaz                  Episode: Conspiracy in Blue

1978–82            Barney Miller            Multiple characters            Six different episodes

1983    Hill Street Blues            Andrews            Episode: Goodbye, Mr. Scripps

1982–84            Alice            Multiple characters            3 different episodes

1985    Night Court   Mario Eisenhower            Episode: Halloween, Too

1985    Tales from the Darkside            Henry Colander            Episode: Anniversary Dinner

1985–88            Mr. Belvedere            Various characters            5 different episodes

1988    Star Trek: The Next Generation            Arthur Malencon            Episode: Home Soil

1989            Murder, She Wrote            Wino            Episode: Smooth Operator