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Abe Vigoda, Sunken-Eyed Character Actor, Dead at 94
http://abcnews.go.com/ ^ | 01/26/2016 | HILLEL ITALIE

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 — 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 ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: abevigoda; barneymiller; hollywood; leo; obituaries; obituary; philfish; tessio; thegodfather; vigoda
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1 posted on 01/26/2016 11:28:17 AM PST by massmike
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To: massmike

RIP Mr. Vigoda, you were a funny funny man.


2 posted on 01/26/2016 11:29:28 AM PST by V_TWIN
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To: massmike

Honestly, I thought that he died years ago.


3 posted on 01/26/2016 11:29:29 AM PST by Army Air Corps (Four Fried Chickens and a Coke)
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To: massmike

Great as Fish on Barney Miller.

RIP


4 posted on 01/26/2016 11:30:26 AM PST by Eddie01 (If you burnin' bandwidth with your mind, find time to pay the organ grind)
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To: Army Air Corps

Most people did.


5 posted on 01/26/2016 11:31:13 AM PST by traderrob6
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To: massmike

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


6 posted on 01/26/2016 11:32:30 AM PST by Cyman
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To: massmike
Great Snickers commercial with him in it not too long ago.

RIP Tessio. "Tom, can you get me off the hook? For old times sake?"

I guess that line didn't work this time either.

7 posted on 01/26/2016 11:32:43 AM PST by safeasthebanks ("The most rewarding part, was when he gave me my money!" - Dr. Nick)
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To: massmike

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?


8 posted on 01/26/2016 11:32:56 AM PST by Obadiah
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To: massmike

Fish...


9 posted on 01/26/2016 11:33:06 AM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway - "Enjoy Yourself" ala Louis Prima)
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To: massmike

If not a hoax, then RIP.

I’ll get you off the hook, for old time’s sake, Sally.


10 posted on 01/26/2016 11:33:14 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: massmike
RIP Mr. Vigoda and thanks for some great memories. You were the best.
(Is it my imagination or have we lost a ton of celebrities this month?)
11 posted on 01/26/2016 11:33:19 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: traderrob6

http://www.abevigoda.com/

Abe Vigoda is dead

Page loaded Tuesday January 26 2016 11:36:12 AM PT

Reload page for update


12 posted on 01/26/2016 11:33:28 AM PST by Rome2000 (SMASH THE CPUSA-SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS-CLOSE ALL MOSQUES)
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To: massmike

Tessio: Tom, can you get me off the hook? For old times’ sake?
Tom Hagen: Can’t do it, Sally.


13 posted on 01/26/2016 11:35:05 AM PST by Vaquero ( Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: massmike

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.


14 posted on 01/26/2016 11:37:42 AM PST by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: massmike
I'm afraid Michael can't even get you off the hook on this one Abe.
15 posted on 01/26/2016 11:38:11 AM PST by traderrob6
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To: massmike
"Tell Mike it was just business. I always liked him."

R.I.P. Abe Vigoda.

16 posted on 01/26/2016 11:38:41 AM PST by GreenHornet
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To: oh8eleven
(Is it my imagination or have we lost a ton of celebrities this month?)

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.

17 posted on 01/26/2016 11:39:35 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: Vendome
Fish...

Fish sleeps with the fishes.

18 posted on 01/26/2016 11:40:26 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator

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.


19 posted on 01/26/2016 11:41:02 AM PST by traderrob6
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To: Moonman62

20 posted on 01/26/2016 11:41:09 AM PST by dfwgator
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