Eddie Mekka obit

R.I.P. Eddie Mekka, Carmine "The Big Ragu" Ragusa from Laverne & Shirley

He also appeared in a scene-stealing dance number with Madonna in "A League of Their Own". He was 69 years old.

 

He was not on the list.

Eddie Mekka, best remembered for his role on the Happy Days spin-off Laverne & Shirley as Carmine Ragusa, Shirley's on-again-off-again high-school sweetheart, has passed away at the age of 69.

While Laverne & Shirley propelled Mekka into the public eye, it was not his first accomplishment in acting. In fact, in 1975 he was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the rock opera The Lieutenant.

A year later in 1976, he would land the role that would define him as the aspiring singer and dancer Carmine Ragusa. Not only would he stay on the acclaimed series until its cancellation in 1983, but he would also play a lead role on the short-lived Happy Days spin-off Blanksy's Beauties. Mekka played different characters on the two shows running simultaneously, a rare occurrence in television.

Mekka would play the Big Ragu again on a guest appearance on Happy Days, and reunite with the Laverne & Shirley cast in both reunion specials in 1995 and 2002.

After Laverne & Shirley ended, Penny Marshall didn't forget her friend Mekka and cast him in her 1992 hit movie, A League of Their Own. Mekka plays a bar patron who has a memorable dance scene with Madonna.

He would act with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams several times after the series ended, notably in a national tour of Grease and a 2008 regional production of It Had to Be You.

Mekka would go on to have guest appearances in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and The Young and the Restless among others.

He had a good sense of humor about being remembered as The Big Ragu, even making a cameo in the David Spade film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star where he poked fun at his early fame and celebrity.

Actor (50 credits)

 2018 Hail Mary!

Danny Morelli

 2017 Silver Twins

Rabbi

 2017 Diary of a Lunatic

Mr. Karnofsky

 2014 Heaven Help Us (Short)

Chuck

 2013 Through a Mother's Eyes

Dr. Henry Myer

 2012 Childrens Hospital (TV Series)

Frankie

- Wisedocs (2012) ... Frankie

 2011 The Young and the Restless (TV Series)

Bud

- Episode #1.9754 (2011) ... Bud (uncredited)

- Episode #1.9753 (2011) ... Bud

 2009 C Me Dance

Lowell

 2008 Pastor Greg (TV Series)

FJ

- Series Finale (2008) ... FJ

- Chances (2008) ... FJ

 2008 Dirty Jokes the Movie (Video)

 2008 ER (TV Series)

Jenkins

- Under Pressure (2008) ... Jenkins

 2007 Stuck in the Past

Grandpa

 2007 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (TV Series)

Western Director

- The Suite Life Goes Hollywood: Part 2 (2007) ... Western Director

 2007 Crossing Jordan (TV Series)

James Talbot

- Shattered (2007) ... James Talbot

 2006 Love Made Easy

Mobo

 2006 Dreamgirls

Club Manager

 2006 The Last Stand

Art

 2006 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (TV Series)

Bobby Thunderson

- Hundred Dollar Baby (2006) ... Bobby Thunderson

 2006 24 (TV Series)

Ned

- Day 5: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. (2006) ... Ned

 2005 The Bold and the Beautiful (TV Series)

Las Vegas Minister

- Episode #1.4582 (2005) ... Las Vegas Minister

- Episode #1.4581 (2005) ... Las Vegas Minister

 2004 Land of the Free?

Jerry

 2003 Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star

Eddie Mekka

 2002 Power Rangers Wild Force (TV Series)

Don

- The Tornado Spin (2002) ... Don

 1998 Catch Me If You Can (TV Movie)

Det. Murdoch

 1998 Sunset Beach (TV Series)

Summons Process Server

- Episode #1.417 (1998) ... Summons Process Server (uncredited)

- Episode #1.416 (1998) ... Summons Process Server (uncredited)

 1998 The Jamie Foxx Show (TV Series)

Danny

- It's All Good, Fellas (1998) ... Danny

 1997/II Top of the World

Joe Burns

 1997 The Big Easy (TV Series)

Joey LaVern

- Heavenly Body (1997) ... Joey LaVern

 1996 Weird Science (TV Series)

Tommy Svachino

- Men in Tights (1996) ... Tommy Svachino

 1995 Dream On (TV Series)

Mel

- Significant Author (1995) ... Mel

 1994 California Dreams (TV Series)

Uncle Frank

- Harley and the Marlboro Man (1994) ... Uncle Frank

 1994 The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. (TV Movie)

Gus

 1990-1994 Family Matters (TV Series)

Mr. Nutting / Charlie

- Sink or Swim (1994) ... Mr. Nutting

- Flashpants (1990) ... Charlie

 1994 Absolutely Rose Street (TV Movie)

Joe Whitehead (uncredited)

 1993 Taking the Heat (TV Movie)

Barbaro

 1993 Guiding Light (TV Series)

Grady

- Episode #1.11765 (1993) ... Grady

 1992 A League of Their Own

Mae's Guy in Bar

 1990 The Munsters Today (TV Series)

Mr. Sweetzer

- The Reel Munsters (1990) ... Mr. Sweetzer

 1990 Mulberry Street (TV Movie)

Vincent Savoia

 1989 True Blue (TV Series)

- Oldies, But Goodies (1989)

 1989 Moonlighting (TV Series)

Guido Viola

- In 'N Outlaws (1989) ... Guido Viola

 1988 Beaches

Actor 3

 1988 Bum Rap

Sammy

 1976-1983 Laverne & Shirley (TV Series)

Carmine 'The Big Ragoo' Ragusa / Carmine Ragusa / Carmine Raguso

- Here Today, Hair Tomorrow (1983) ... Carmine 'The Big Ragoo' Ragusa

- Councilman DeFazio (1983) ... Carmine 'The Big Ragoo' Ragusa

- Do the Carmine (1983) ... Carmine 'The Big Ragoo' Ragusa

- How's Your Sister? (1983) ... Carmine 'The Big Ragoo' Ragusa

- Please Don't Feed the Buzzards (1983) ... Carmine 'The Big Ragoo' Ragusa

1979-1983 Fantasy Island (TV Series)

Charles / Ken Jason / Johnny Detroit / ...

- Naughty Marietta/The Winning Ticket (1983) ... Charles

- Unholy Wedlock/Elizabeth (1980) ... Ken Jason

- Hit Man/The Swimmer (1979) ... Johnny Detroit / Wilbur Wilson

 1979-1982 The Love Boat (TV Series)

Bert Brodie / Jason Clark / Stanley Corson / ...

- Mothers Don't Do That/Marrying for Money/Substitute Lover (1982) ... Bert Brodie / Jason Clark

- Sally's Paradise/I Love You, Too, Smith/Mama and Me (1981) ... Stanley Corson

- The Grass Is Always Greener/Three Stages of Love/Oldies But Goodies (1979) ... Mike

 1982 Assignment Berlin

Soghomon Tehlirian

 1979 Greatest Heroes of the Bible (TV Series)

Uri

- The Story of Esther (1979) ... Uri

 1977-1979 Happy Days (TV Series)

Carmine Ragusa

- Fonzie's Funeral: Part 2 (1979) ... Carmine Ragusa

- Joanie's Weird Boyfriend (1977) ... Carmine Ragusa

 1977 Blansky's Beauties (TV Series)

Joey DeLuca

- Nancy Breaks a Leg (1977) ... Joey DeLuca

- My Nephew's Debut (1977) ... Joey DeLuca

- Dear Nancy (1977) ... Joey DeLuca

- To Nancy with Love (1977) ... Joey DeLuca

- Nancy Meets Pa Bates (1977) ... Joey DeLuca