Abe Vigoda, best known for his roles as mobster Tessio in The Godfather and as Detective Sgt. Fish on Barney Miller has died. He was 94. He became somewhat of a pop culture figure due to repeated false reports of his demise. Today, the website called Isabevigodadead.com –which for years consisted simply of a blank page with the word No– today sadly says “Yes”.
Vigoda made his feature debut in Three Rooms in Manhattan, but the was essentially unknown until he was cast in The Godfather, where Vigoda managed to make an impression despite the high-powered acting talent in the movie. He reprised his role as Tessio in a flashback in The Godfather: Part II and continued to act and make TV appearances well into his 90s. He appeared on Conan and Letterman many times over the years, like this time, nearly 30 years in 1988. Watch. We’ll miss that face, Abe.
(via Variety)