Stephen Mendillo obit

Beloved Slap Shot actor Stephen Mendillo passes away

It’s a sad day in Slap Shot world… Gone, but never forgotten. 

He was not on the list.

The hockey world and especially in the franchise movie Slap Shot world are struck by grieving as the death of actor Stephen Mendillo, who played Chiefs’ alternate captain, laundry critic, and reluctant fashion show participant Jim Ahern, has passed away at age 84.

While his obituary was shared online on Friday morning, posts from fans across the world were more moving, with one from The Making of Slap Shot on Facebook shared:

“It’s a sad day in Slap Shot world as we say goodbye and thank you to actor Stephen Mendillo, who played Chiefs’ alternate captain, laundry critic, and reluctant fashion show participant Jim Ahern. He passed away this week at the age of 84.

Steve grew up playing hockey in his hometown of New Haven, where his first coach was New York Rangers iron man Murray Murdoch, and where his father, a surgeon and a professor at Yale, was the team doctor with the New Haven Blades of the Eastern Hockey League.

He was a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, where he became close friends with classmate Henry Winkler, and he enjoyed a long career as a character actor on both stage and screen.

Surprisingly, though, he was never hired to do endorsements for Downy fabric softener. Missed opportunity.”

According to his obituary, Mendillo passed away on September 3rd.

When people talk about hockey movies, Slap Shot is always the first one that comes up. Released in 1977, the film is a raunchy, hilarious, and surprisingly sharp look at minor league hockey in a struggling mill town. Among its colourful cast of characters was Jim Ahern, the Chiefs’ alternate captain, laundry critic, and reluctant fashion show participant, played by Mendillo.

May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers got out to his loved ones, family and fans.

Actor

Ghost Light

Thomas

In Production

 

American Comedy (2023)

American Comedy

5.2

George W Bush

2023

 

Dylan Bruno in Thumb Runner (2020)

Thumb Runner

9.0

TV Series

2020

1 episode

 

The Miserabilist

Short

Murray

2018

 

Stephen Mendillo in Do Not Go Gentle (2018)

Do Not Go Gentle

TV Series

Grandpa (2018)

2018

 

Lonely Lil (2016)

Lonely Lil

TV Series

American Father Figure

2016

1 episode

 

Drop in Any Mailbox (2014)

Drop in Any Mailbox

Short

Motel Clerk

2014

 

Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney in The Whole Truth (2010)

The Whole Truth

6.6

TV Series

2011

1 episode

 

Bérénice Bejo and Jean Dujardin in The Artist (2011)

The Artist

7.8

Set Assistant

2011

 

Sympathy for Delicious (2010)

Sympathy for Delicious

5.6

Angry Drunk Harv

2010

 

Kisses Over Babylon (2009)

Kisses Over Babylon

7.8

Short

Minor

2009

 

Cold Case (2003)

Cold Case

7.6

TV Series

Geoffrey Manning '09

2009

1 episode

 

Patricia Arquette in Medium (2005)

Medium

7.1

TV Series

Councilman James Leaming

2009

1 episode

 

Little Minx Exquisite Corpse: Waffles for Breakfast (2008)

Little Minx Exquisite Corpse: Waffles for Breakfast

6.0

Short

Buck

2008

 

Chris Bruno, Brittany Daniel, and Ted Lange in Last of the Romantics (2007)

Last of the Romantics

7.1

Mr. Xavier

2007

 

The Invincible Iron Man (2007)

The Invincible Iron Man

5.8

Video

Boyer (voice)

2007

 

Dennis Hopper, Benjamin Bratt, and Leonor Varela in E-Ring (2005)

E-Ring

7.0

TV Series

2005

1 episode

 

Paul Newman, Helen Hunt, Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Dennis Farina, Aidan Quinn, and Joanne Woodward in Empire Falls (2005)

Empire Falls

7.2

TV Mini Series

Bill Daws

2005

2 episodes

 

Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, Steve Harris, and Kelli Williams in The Practice (1997)

The Practice

7.7

TV Series

Dr. Miller

2004

1 episode

 

Our Town (2003)

Our Town

7.7

TV Movie

Constable Warren

2003

 

Jennifer Garner in Alias (2001)

Alias

7.6

TV Series

Henry Fields

2002

1 episode

 

Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Connor Trinneer, and Linda Park in Star Trek: Enterprise (2001)

Star Trek: Enterprise

7.6

TV Series

Vulcan Capt. Tavek

2002

1 episode

 

Leila Arcieri, Jaime Bergman, Roland Kickinger, Kimberly Oja, and Timothy Stack in Son of the Beach (2000)

Son of the Beach

6.9

TV Series

Judge Howard Doody

2002

2 episodes

 

Alan Arkin, Paula Devicq, Manny Perez, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Joseph Lyle Taylor in 100 Centre Street (2001)

100 Centre Street

7.9

TV Series

2001

1 episode

 

The Shrink Is In (2001)

The Shrink Is In

5.1

Dr. Marc

2001

 

BlackMale (2000)

BlackMale

4.6

Detective Frank

2000

 

Uninvited (1999)

Uninvited

6.1

Vincent Grasso

1999

 

Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, Mehcad Brooks, and Odelya Halevi in Law & Order (1990)

Law & Order

7.8

TV Series

Joshua BurdettLt. Jeffrey LondonLeon Prosky ...

1991–1997

4 episodes

 

Dan Aykroyd, Brendon Ryan Barrett, Spencer Breslin, Courtney Chase, Michael Finiguerra, Dakin Matthews, and Kevin Sheridan in Soul Man (1997)

Soul Man

6.1

TV Series

Shaddy Man

1997

1 episode

 

Demi Moore in G.I. Jane (1997)

G.I. Jane

6.0

Admiral O'Connor

1997

 

Morgan Fairchild in The City (1995)

The City

8.1

TV Series

Dr. Fanelli

1997

2 episodes

 

Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler in The First Wives Club (1996)

The First Wives Club

6.5

Federal Marshal

1996

 

Mariel Hemingway, Mädchen Amick, Michael Michele, John Barrowman, Melissa Errico, Justin Lazard, and Tom Verica in C.P.W. (1995)

C.P.W.

7.1

TV Series

1996

1 episode

 

Lone Star (1996)

Lone Star

7.4

Cliff

1996

 

James Woods in Killer: A Journal of Murder (1995)

Killer: A Journal of Murder

6.3

Hiram the Guard

1995

 

Cobb (1994)

Cobb

6.4

Mickey Cochrane

1994

 

Matt Dillon and Danny Glover in The Saint of Fort Washington (1993)

The Saint of Fort Washington

7.0

Bridge Cop #1

1993

 

Patricia Arquette and Liam Neeson in Ethan Frome (1993)

Ethan Frome

6.3

Ned Hale

1993

 

Another World (1964)

Another World

7.0

TV Series

HankPoliceman

1981–1992

4 episodes

 

Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules (1991)

Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules

5.4

TV Movie

Bartender (segment "A Domestic Dilemma")

1991

 

City of Hope (1991)

City of Hope

7.2

Yoyo

1991

 

A Man Called Hawk (1989)

A Man Called Hawk

7.3

TV Series

SWAT Captain

1989

1 episode

 

John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, David Strathairn, D.B. Sweeney, Don Harvey, James Read, Perry Lang, and Michael Rooker in Eight Men Out (1988)

Eight Men Out

7.2

Monk

1988

 

Holly Hunter, William Hurt, and Albert Brooks in Broadcast News (1987)

Broadcast News

7.3

Gerald Grunick

1987

 

The Equalizer (1985)

The Equalizer

7.8

TV Series

Barricade Cop

1986

1 episode

 

Jane Curtin and Susan Saint James in Kate & Allie (1984)

Kate & Allie

6.9

TV Series

Set P. A.

1986

1 episode

 

Teachers (1984)

Teachers

6.1

Lecture Cop

1984

 

American Playhouse (1980)

American Playhouse

7.3

TV Series

Mr. Appell

1984

1 episode

 

George Segal and Shelley Hack in Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer (1983)

Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer

5.5

TV Movie

Sergeant Reed

1983

 

Without a Trace (1983)

Without a Trace

7.1

Police Officer

1983

 

Lianna (1983)

Lianna

6.9

Bob

1983

 

Lori Cardille, James Naughton, and Mark Soper in Parole (1982)

Parole

5.4

TV Movie

Mike

1982

 

Today's F.B.I. (1981)

Today's F.B.I.

7.2

TV Series

Agent Garmes

1981

1 episode

 

Christmas Evil (1980)

Christmas Evil

5.6

Tom

1980

 

Ryan's Hope (1975)

Ryan's Hope

7.2

TV Series

Vinnie Romano

1979

1 episode

 

King of the Gypsies (1978)

King of the Gypsies

6.3

Adolf

1978

 

Geraldine Chaplin in Remember My Name (1978)

Remember My Name

6.3

Newscaster (as Steve Mendillo)

1978

 

Big Wednesday (1978)

Big Wednesday

7.1

Orderly

1978

 

Soap (1977)

Soap

8.3

TV Series

Sheldon

1977

1 episode

 

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid (1977)

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

6.1

TV Movie

(as Steven Mendillo)

1977

 

Henry Fonda, Timothy Bottoms, George Segal, Susan Strasberg, and Richard Widmark in Rollercoaster (1977)

Rollercoaster

6.3

Bomb Squad #3

1977

 

Paul Newman, Yvon Barrette, Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, David Hanson, Jerry Houser, Allan F. Nicholls, and Michael Ontkean in Slap Shot (1977)

Slap Shot

7.2

Jim Ahern

1977

 

Serpico (1976)

Serpico

6.8

TV Series

Leon

1976

1 episode

 

Johnny Staccato (1959)

Delvecchio

6.6

TV Series

2nd Gunman

1976

1 episode

 

Great Performances (1971)

Great Performances

7.9

TV Series

Bartender

1976

1 episode

 

Key West (1973)

Key West

6.5

TV Movie

George Lucey

1973

 

Anthony Quinn, Paul Benjamin, and Anthony Franciosa in Across 110th Street (1972)

Across 110th Street

7.0

Patrolman

1972

 

Stunts

Joe Pesci and Barbara Hershey in The Public Eye (1992)

The Public Eye

6.5

stunts

1992