Michael DeLano obit

Michael DeLano, Actor in ‘Rhoda,’ ‘Commando’ and ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ Dies at 84

He also danced on ‘American Bandstand,’ starred on ‘Firehouse’ and ‘Supertrain’ and sang at an old-school lounge in Las Vegas.

 He was not on the list.

Michael DeLano, the actor and singer who in the 1970s played a Los Angeles firefighter opposite James Drury on ABC’s Firehouse and the lounge singer Johnny Venture alongside Valerie Harper on CBS’ Rhoda, has died. He was 84.

DeLano had a heart attack and died Oct. 20 in a Las Vegas hospital, Jean Delano, his wife of 28 years and companion for 38, told The Hollywood Reporter.

A Vegas resident since 1992, the charismatic DeLano played a casino manager in the heist film Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and the sequel Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and sang standards as a regular performer at the old-school Dispensary Lounge on Tropicana Avenue until recently.

DeLano starred as firefighter Sonny Caputo and received third billing behind Drury and Richard Jaeckel on Firehouse, a midseason replacement drama that bowed in January 1974 but aired just 13 episodes before it was canceled.

He’s probably best known for his turn as Venture, who attempts to date Rhoda (with little success) after her breakup with husband Joe Gerard (David Groh). He appeared on 11 episodes during seasons three and four in 1976-78.

He also had a regular role on Supertrain, portraying Lou Atkins on the ultra-expensive NBC bomb that lasted just nine episodes in 1979.

An only child, Michael Ace Del Fatti was born in Virginia on Nov. 26, 1940. His father was a pilot in the service — hence the “Ace” middle name — but died before his son was born.

Raised in Philadelphia, he received fan mail as a regular dancer on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand when the weekday TV show was based in that city and served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army.

In 1960, he signed with Swan Records as Key Larson and recorded the songs “A Web of Lies” and “A Little Lovin’ Goes a Long, Long Way.” Later, he adopted the stage surname DeLano after seeing a blinking neon sign on a hotel with that name, his wife said.

After appearing in a stage production of Hair in Chicago, he came to Hollywood and showed up in the films Catlow (1971) and The New Centurions (1972) and on episodes of Adam-12, Kojak, Banacek and Barnaby Jones before landing on Firehouse.

He also had a 1980-81 stint as the carny boss Frank Coyne on the NBC primetime soap Flamingo Road and a turn as the doomed car salesman Forrestal in Commando (1985), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

His credits also included bit parts in Hollywood Man (1976), 9 to 5 (1980) and Another Stakeout (1993) and guest-star work on The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Starsky & Hutch, Soap, Charlie’s Angels, Taxi, Perfect Strangers, Private Benjamin, The Fall Guy, The A-Team, Cagney & Lacey, Hill Street Blues, Hunter, Falcon Crest, Silk Stalkings, Chicago Hope and Royal Pains.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his daughter, Bree; grandsons Michael and Lincoln; and granddaughter Jaxon. A celebration of his life will take place Sunday at The Dispensary Lounge.

Actor

Royal Pains (2009)

Royal Pains

7.2

TV Series

Casino Host (as Michael Delano)

2012

2 episodes

 

My Blueberry Nights (2007)

My Blueberry Nights

6.6

Cowboy (as Michael Delano)

2007

 

Ocean's Twelve (2004)

Ocean's Twelve

6.5

Casino Manager

2004

 

Marg Helgenberger, George Eads, and William Petersen in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

7.7

TV Series

Ted BentonTed Beaton (as Michael Delano)

2000–2002

2 episodes

 

Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, and Andy Garcia in Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Ocean's Eleven

7.7

Casino Manager ('Walsh')

2001

 

Lauren Holly, Hector Elizondo, Carla Gugino, Mark Harmon, Barbara Hershey, Mandy Patinkin, Adam Arkin, and Rocky Carroll in Chicago Hope (1994)

Chicago Hope

6.9

TV Series

Pit Boss #2 (as Michael Delano)

1998

1 episode

 

Tia Carrere, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Weller in Top of the World (1997)

Top of the World

4.6

Lieutenant De Rosa (as Michael Delano)

1997

 

Silk Stalkings (1991)

Silk Stalkings

6.6

TV Series

Dan Grayson

1996

1 episode

 

Texas Payback (1995)

Texas Payback

4.8

Bob (as Michael Delano)

1995

 

Matthias Hues and Michael Worth in Fists of Iron (1995)

Fists of Iron

4.7

Malloy (as Michael Delano)

1995

 

Lion Strike (1994)

Lion Strike

4.8

Lopez (as Michael Delano)

1994

 

Robert Patrick in Zero Tolerance (1994)

Zero Tolerance

5.3

Truck Driver

1994

 

Private Wars (1993)

Private Wars

5.1

Mr. Mendoza

1993

 

Father Hood (1993)

Father Hood

5.0

Pit Boss (as Michael Delano)

1993

 

Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez, and Rosie O'Donnell in Another Stakeout (1993)

Another Stakeout

5.6

Michael

1993

 

Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel (1993)

Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel

4.6

Lopez (as Michael Delano)

1993

 

Maxwell Caulfield, Tracy Scoggins, and Billy Dee Williams in Alien Intruder (1993)

Alien Intruder

3.2

Video

Capt. Loring (as Michael Delano)

1993

 

Out for Blood (1992)

Out for Blood

4.7

Lieutenant Croft

1992

 

Sam J. Jones and Sherrie Rose in Maximum Force (1992)

Maximum Force

4.5

Benny

1992

 

Charlene Tilton and Jeff Wincott in Deadly Bet (1992)

Deadly Bet

5.0

Greek

1992

 

Don Wilson in Ring of Fire (1991)

Ring of Fire

4.7

Lopez (as Michael Delano)

1991

 

Joe Alaskey, Maureen Flannigan, Doug McClure, and Donna Pescow in Out of This World (1987)

Out of This World

7.3

TV Series

Officer Hill

1990

1 episode

 

Hardball (1989)

Hardball

7.2

TV Series

Al Martoni (as Michael Delano)

1989–1990

2 episodes

 

Falcon Crest (1981)

Falcon Crest

6.2

TV Series

Lou (as Michael Delano)

1990

1 episode

 

Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker in Perfect Strangers (1986)

Perfect Strangers

7.2

TV Series

Chuck Panama

1988

1 episode

 

Traci Lords in Not of This Earth (1988)

Not of This Earth

4.9

Vacuum Cleaner Salesman (as Michael Delano)

1988

 

Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer in Hunter (1984)

Hunter

6.9

TV Series

Johnny MartinoJilly Hunter

1984–1987

2 episodes

 

Juliette Cummins, Atanas Ilitch, and Heidi Kozak Haddad in Slumber Party Massacre II (1987)

Slumber Party Massacre II

4.7

Officer Kreuger

1987

 

Catherine Keener, Pat Morita, Kevin Conroy, Jack Wallace, and Richard Yniguez in Ohara (1987)

Ohara

6.9

TV Series

Wilson

1987

1 episode

 

Gil Gerard, Ernie Reyes Jr., and Nancy Stafford in Sidekicks (1986)

Sidekicks

7.2

TV Series

Horse (as Michael Delano)

1986

1 episode

 

Stacy Keach and Lindsay Bloom in The New Mike Hammer (1984)

The New Mike Hammer

6.9

TV Series

Augie VincentLeo Ratan

1984–1986

2 episodes

 

Ernie Hudson, Adam West, Randi Brooks, and Keenan Wynn in The Last Precinct (1986)

The Last Precinct

7.0

TV Series

1986

1 episode

 

Robert Clohessy, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz in Hill Street Blues (1981)

Hill Street Blues

8.2

TV Series

Vito BinachiPaulie

1985–1986

3 episodes

 

Randy Josselyn, David Kaufman, Carol Mansell, Kyle Richards, and Dick Sargent in Down to Earth (1984)

Down to Earth

7.2

TV Series

Jake Fiore (as Michael Delano)

1985

3 episodes

 

Cagney & Lacey (1981)

Cagney & Lacey

6.9

TV Series

Stan Roedl (as Michael Delano)

1985

1 episode

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando (1985)

Commando

6.7

Forrestal

1985

 

George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict, and Dwight Schultz in The A-Team (1983)

The A-Team

7.5

TV Series

Johnny AngelKyle Mason

1984–1985

3 episodes

 

Jon-Erik Hexum and Jennifer O'Neill in Cover Up (1984)

Cover Up

7.7

TV Series

Randy

1985

1 episode

 

Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

7.1

TV Series

Barney Sleece (as Michael De Lano)

1984

1 episode

 

Brian Keith and Daniel Hugh Kelly in Hardcastle and McCormick (1983)

Hardcastle and McCormick

6.6

TV Series

Jace Trimmer

1984

1 episode

 

Tom Selleck in Magnum, P.I. (1980)

Magnum, P.I.

7.5

TV Series

Cousin Anthony 'Tony' Silvano (as Michael Delano)

1983

1 episode

 

Lee Majors and Heather Thomas in The Fall Guy (1981)

The Fall Guy

7.1

TV Series

FletcherSydnie (as Michael Delano)

1982

2 episodes

 

Private Benjamin (1981)

Private Benjamin

6.2

TV Series

Vinnie (as Michael Delano)

1982

1 episode

 

Nell Carter in Gimme a Break! (1981)

Gimme a Break!

6.4

TV Series

Vince

1982

1 episode

 

Greg Evigan in B.J. and the Bear (1978)

B.J. and the Bear

6.4

TV Series

Gunman No. 1

1981

1 episode

 

Marla Gibbs in Checking In (1981)

Checking In

6.1

TV Series

Leo (as Michael Delano)

1981

1 episode

 

Morgan Fairchild, Mark Harmon, and Cristina Raines in Flamingo Road (1980)

Flamingo Road

6.5

TV Series

Frank Coyne

1980–1981

4 episodes

 

Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford in The Jeffersons (1975)

The Jeffersons

7.5

TV Series

Vito

1981

1 episode

 

Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, and Lily Tomlin in 9 to 5 (1980)

9 to 5

6.9

Motorcycle Cop (as Michael Delano)

1980

 

Angie (1979)

Angie

7.0

TV Series

Mr. Stewart

1980

1 episode

 

Murder Can Hurt You! (1980)

Murder Can Hurt You!

6.2

TV Movie

Thug

1980

 

Mike Cartel in Bitter Heritage (1979)

Bitter Heritage

6.7

Philipe (as Michael Delano)

1979

 

Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Jeff Conaway, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, and Judd Hirsch in Taxi (1978)

Taxi

7.7

TV Series

Don Reavy (as Michael Delano)

1979

1 episode

 

Gil Gerard and Erin Gray in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

6.9

TV Series

Malary Pantera (as Michael Delano)

1979

1 episode

 

Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith in Charlie's Angels (1976)

Charlie's Angels

6.6

TV Series

Michael Leone (as Michael De Lano)

1979

1 episode

 

Detective School (1979)

Detective School

7.0

TV Series

Jimmy (as Michael Delano)

1979

1 episode

 

Soap (1977)

Soap

8.3

TV Series

Reverend Sung

1979

1 episode

 

Joey Aresco, Ilene Graff, and Harrison Page in Supertrain (1979)

Supertrain

4.5

TV Series

Lou Atkins (as Michael Delano)

1979

5 episodes

 

Starsky and Hutch (1975)

Starsky and Hutch

7.0

TV Series

RogerBilly Harkness

1975–1978

2 episodes

 

Desperate Women (1978)

Desperate Women

6.3

TV Movie

Black Jack Ketcham (as Michael Delano)

1978

 

Wonder Woman (1975)

Wonder Woman

7.0

TV Series

Nick Moreno

1978

1 episode

 

Jack Klugman in Quincy, M.E. (1976)

Quincy, M.E.

7.3

TV Series

Mark Hellman

1978

1 episode

 

Valerie Harper in Rhoda (1974)

Rhoda

6.9

TV Series

Johnny Venture

1976–1978

11 episodes

 

Curse of the Black Widow (1977)

Curse of the Black Widow

5.7

TV Movie

Carlo Lenzi

1977

 

Noah Beery Jr. and James Garner in The Rockford Files (1974)

The Rockford Files

8.2

TV Series

Sharkey

1977

1 episode

 

Johnny Staccato (1959)

Delvecchio

6.7

TV Series

Lou Wolfe (uncredited)

1976

1 episode

 

Hollywood Man (1976)

Hollywood Man

5.1

J.J. (as Michael Delano)

1976

 

Doctors' Hospital (1975)

Doctors' Hospital

6.8

TV Series

Mark Rindoni

1975

1 episode

 

Jack Palance in Bronk (1975)

Bronk

6.8

TV Series

Listera (as Michael Delano)

1975

1 episode

 

Telly Savalas in Kojak (1973)

Kojak

7.1

TV Series

ValanoSolerno

1973–1975

3 episodes

 

Teresa Graves in Get Christie Love! (1974)

Get Christie Love!

6.5

TV Series

Nelson

1974

1 episode

 

Dennis Weaver in McCloud (1970)

McCloud

7.0

TV Series

Sgt. Rizzo (as Michael Delano)

1974

1 episode

 

James Drury in Firehouse (1974)

Firehouse

7.5

TV Series

Sonny Caputo

1974

13 episodes

 

Stat!

TV Movie

Dr. Nick Candros (as Michael Delano)

1973

 

Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)

Barnaby Jones

6.9

TV Series

Pool Guy (as Michael Delano)

1973

1 episode

 

George Peppard in Banacek (1972)

Banacek

7.6

TV Series

Simson

1973

1 episode

 

Banyon (1971)

Banyon

7.7

TV Series

(as Michael Delano)

1972

1 episode

 

The New Centurions (1972)

The New Centurions

7.0

Ranatti

1972

 

Catlow (1971)

Catlow

5.6

Rio (as Michael Delano)

1971

 

Kent McCord and Martin Milner in Adam-12 (1968)

Adam-12

7.7

TV Series

Louis Fox

1970

1 episode

 

Finola Hughes, Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, Genie Francis, Kelly Monaco, Laura Wright, Donnell Turner, Tanisha Harper, Josh Kelly, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, and Tabyana Ali in General Hospital (1963)

General Hospital

6.6

TV Series

Dr. Mark Dante (as Michael Delano)

1963

 

Soundtrack

George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict, and Dwight Schultz in The A-Team (1983)

The A-Team

7.5

TV Series

performer: "Volare" (uncredited)

1985

1 episode

 

Valerie Harper in Rhoda (1974)

Rhoda

6.9

TV Series

performer: "Hava Nagila"performer: "I Believe", "I've Gotta Be Me"performer: "I've Gotta Be Me", "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" (uncredited, uncredited, uncredited)

1976–1978

3 episodes

 

Thanks

Dave Courtney, Gezim67, Chris Shipton, James Loughnane, Catherine McQueen, Lee Westwick, Swaylee Loughnane, Daniel Eghan, Nick Field, Hilary Agostini, Sonny Loughnane, David P Perlmutter, Joshua Morrison, Christine Sullivan, and Wendy Bowes in Bank on us 2 (2020)

Bank on us 2

2.6

special thanks

2020

 

Archive Footage

Gil Gerard and Erin Gray in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

6.9

TV Series

Malary Pantera (archive footage, uncredited)

1980

1 episode