Rockford Files and Sopranos star Joe Santos dies at 84

AP via Daily Mail ^ | 3/18/16

[Kartographer]

Joe Santos, who played Lieutenant Dennis Becker on The Rockford Files, has died at 84.

Santos passed away on Friday in Santa Monica, California, after a heart attack earlier in the week, according to his agent Alicia Beekman.

Santos' career spanned more than four decades, and included a recurring role on The Sopranos. In the HBO show, he played Angelo Garepe, a consigliere who eventually ended up murdered.

[stevem]

The song was great, and the answering machine helped set the mood for every show.

[Joe 6-pack]

When my brother and I were little kids, Rockford Files was one of the first, "grown up" shows our parents let us watch. In all the intervening years, I don't think I've ever read the name, or met somebody named, "Dennis," without giving at least some brief, passing thought to Mr. Santos's character.

RIP Mr. Santos, and thank you for the wonderful childhood memories :-)