Posted on 01/26/2016 11:28:17 AM PST by massmike
Character Abe Vigoda, whose leathery, sunken-eyed face made him ideal for playing the over-the-hill detective Phil Fish in the 1970s TV series "Barney Miller" and the doomed Mafia soldier in "The Godfather," died Tuesday at age 94.
Vigoda's daughter, Carol Vigoda Fuchs, told The Associated Press that Vigoda died Tuesday morning in his sleep at Fuchs' home in Woodland Park, New Jersey. The cause of death was old age. "This man was never sick," Fuchs said.
He liked to tell the story of how he won the role of Detective Fish. An exercise enthusiast, Vigoda had just returned from a five-mile jog when his agent called and told him to report immediately to the office of Danny Arnold, who was producing a pilot for a police station comedy.
Arnold remarked that Vigoda looked tired, and the actor explained about his jog. "You know, you look like you might have hemorrhoids," Arnold said. "What are you â a doctor or a producer?" Vigoda asked. He was cast on the spot.
"The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows," a reference book, commented that Vigoda was the hit of "Barney Miller." ''Not only did he look incredible, he sounded and acted like every breath might be his last," it said. "Fish was always on the verge of retirement, and his worst day was when the station house toilet broke down."
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
RIP Mr. Vigoda, you were a funny funny man.
Honestly, I thought that he died years ago.
Great as Fish on Barney Miller.
RIP
Most people did.
Wow,just talking about him this weekend and I made a joke about him being alive. Very talented character actor. Always be Fish to me. RIP
RIP Tessio. "Tom, can you get me off the hook? For old times sake?"
I guess that line didn't work this time either.
I’m thinking this is a hoax. Just how many times do you think I’ll fall for the old saw that Abe Vigota is dead? Huh?
Fish...
If not a hoax, then RIP.
I’ll get you off the hook, for old time’s sake, Sally.
Abe Vigoda is dead
Page loaded Tuesday January 26 2016 11:36:12 AM PT
Reload page for update
Tessio: Tom, can you get me off the hook? For old times’ sake?
Tom Hagen: Can’t do it, Sally.
Abe Vigoda, Sunken-Eyed Character Actor, Dead at 94
...
I never thought I’d see the day.
Now Keith Richards is the only one left to outlive us all.
R.I.P. Abe Vigoda.
It occurred to me, that starting right around the mid-60s and 70s, as entertainment became more ingrained in our culture with Television and music, that the sheer number of celebrities grew tremendously during that period, so now, there are many more celebrities passing away than what we've seen before, and it's only going to continue.
Fish sleeps with the fishes.
That, and the fact that and you and I are closer to death ourselves so therefor the people that are dying are more familiar to us.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.