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 ...
I wonder if that was one of the more poignant moments of that movie, right near the end of it. You can not help but think about when at the start (in the wedding party), Tessio is playfully dancing with a girl. Sorry, but could not help but think of those two moments in that movie involving Vigoda.
One of the better Rockford Files episodes featured Vigoda.
The Rockford Files: Season 5, Episode 2
Rosendahl and Gilda Stern Are Dead
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0688040/
I got a girl in the Castle and one in the pagoda
You know I got rhymes like Abe Vigoda
The more poignant moment was GF II, with the flashback showing that Fredo was the only one who supported Michael when he told everyone he was joining the Marines.
I remember the Barney Miller episode when Wojo unknowingly brought in pot brownies from his girlfriend and everyone got stoned. Detective Fish said “I haven’t felt this good in 40 years and it’s illegal?” Great show, loved Abe Vigoda.
Now Keith Richards is the only one left to outlive us all.
Could Keith Richards be the anti-christ?
5.56mm
Tessio sleeps with the fishes. Tell Michael it’s just business.
Tessio was always smarter than Clemenza.
I’m so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful actor. Rest in peace, Mr. Vigoda.
He was a handsome gentleman.
And the late Jack Soo answered the precinct phone with the Japanese greeting Mushi, mushi.
For that very reason, somebody has created and maintained for years, a live Abe Vigoda status page. I look in on it every now and again. It says he’s dead.
RIP Abe.
Catchy title.
May his memory be a blessing.
So bubbly and effervescent, who would have thought.
sunken-eyed character, is that the best they could say about him?
He was really a good actor. Loved him. Glad he made it to 94.
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