Posted on 12/02/2021 8:06:38 AM PST by massmike
Eddie Mekka, the Tony-nominated actor best known for his role as Carmine “The Big Ragu” Ragusa of “Laverne & Shirley,” has died. He was 69.
The veteran TV and stage actor reportedly passed away on Nov. 27 at his home in Newhall, California, according to friend and fellow Berklee College of Music alum, Pat Benti, who did not share a cause of death in his tribute on Facebook.
Asking that all inquiries into Mekka’s death “be withheld during his family’s time of grief,” Benti also said, “We welcome you to share your memories of Eddie and your condolences to his family on his fan page.”
Mekka played Shirley Feeney’s crooner boyfriend, Carmine, on the “Happy Days” spinoff starring Penny Marshall as Laverne and Cindy Williams as Shirley. The series aired between 1976 and 1983 on ABC, and later in syndication. His character was known to break out into song, often belting out the Tony Bennett-inspired catchphrase, “You know I’d go from rags to riches!”
"Laverne & Shirley” co-star Marshall died in 2018, and David L. Lander, who played Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman in the show, passed away last year. Comedian Michael McKean (Lenny Kosnowski) and Williams are now the only surviving stars from the beloved series.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
May he rest in peace. Eddie Mekka should have been a bigger star. He was multi-talented.
https://youtu.be/X0D78vyBqCs Carmine singing from 1976 Laverne & Shirley Christmas episode.
Back when sitcoms celebrated Christmas.
Ya, but how many FReepers have a degree from the University of LaVerne...?
Yes.
LOL.
The Big Ragu.
I remember one episode where Squigy called him “the Big Magoo.”
“Laverne & Shirley,”...
for whatever reason, this particular show escapes my memory...
I never watched that show.
They formed a band called Lenny and the Squigtones.
Check them out on YouTube.
Best album I ever bought.
Auto correct got me.
I remember it mostly from the opening and the theme.
There was a short lived cartoon with them in the army.
Perhaps the funniest movie EVER!!
“Hey look. Bare t!ts!”
Test drive with Tobey!
RIP.
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