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 ...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Can't be true. Abe Vigoda can never die.
Barney Miller never had an ending episode. The creator just quit because he didn’t want to run out of creative scenarios and dilute it’s history.
Lemmy from Motorhead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keith Richards actually died sometime in the 1960s. There are two common explanations as to why he’s still performing:
1. He took so many drugs that his dead body has literally been perfectly preserved so despite his heart not beating he’s still around.
2. Someone raised Keith Richards’ corpse, so he is actually a zombie or some other form of undead. Only instead of “Brains! Brains!” he seeks “Booze! Drugs!”
:P
“Keith Richards says kids should not do drugs. Keith, we can’t do any drugs, because you already done them all, there’s none left. We have to wait until you die so we can smoke your ashes.” - Dennis Leary
So long Abe. Thanks for the memories!............................
Ninety-four is a pretty good run. RIP and farewell.
Wow, he lived a good long time. I remember watching Barney Miller when I was a kid in the 1970s and he looked very old even back then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-_rEqBaEE8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txLDwvzu_Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2X1S5YqAag
Actually, the series ended with a three part episode called "Landmark." The building which housed the 12th precinct was sold to a private developer, and all of the detectives were reassigned to other precincts. Barney was promoted to Inspector.
Nick Yemana taking inventory, and his filing system, crack me up every time.
One of my favorites. Very gifted actor. RIP.
And if you pay attention to the elevator in Castle you’ll see they’re in the 12th. That show is a festival of easter eggs.
Thanks! I’ll be watching it later.
Aww, damn...
But hey... 94 is a damn good run, Especially to be healthy for most of it.
RIP, Abe.
RE keith Richards:
He is... resilient for sure... or maybe just embalmed...
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