Posted on 12/29/2005 10:50:23 AM PST by Grendel9
Vincent Schiavelli, who died of cancer at his home in Sicily on December 26 aged 57, was a popular character actor noted for his roles in films such as Ghost and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Schiavelli's somewhat hangdog countenance appeared in more than 120 film and television shows; he excelled at parts which required an eccentric presentation, and in 1997 the magazine Vanity Fair declared him one of the best character actors in America.
In 1990 he won critical acclaim for his role as the spirit in Ghost, which starred Patrick Swayze. It was a small part, as were his portrayals of Fredrickson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and Salieri's valet in Amadeus (1984), but Schiavelli managed to make all these memorable.
Vincent Schiavelli was born into a Sicilian-American family in Brooklyn, New York City, on November 10 1948 and studied acting at New York University; he began his career on the stage in the 1960s. His first film appearance was in 1971, when he had a part in Milos Forman's Taking Off, in which parents of a girl from the suburbs attempt to reclaim her from a life among the hippies.
Schiavelli's success in this led to a steady career in supporting roles, particularly in a number of Forman's pictures - he was cast, for example, in Forman's 1999 biopic of the stand-up comic Andy Kaufman, Man on the Moon, alongside Jim Carrey, Danny De Vito and Courtney Love.
His first television work came in 1972, when he appeared as a fashion designer in The Corner Bar. He also had a regular guest spot in Cheers; he was the Rev Gorky in Taxi in the late 1970s; and he appeared in shows such as Miami Vice.
Schiavelli's film roles include the biology teacher Mr Vargas in the 1982 hit comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which he reprised in a television spin-off series in the 1980s, Fast Times. He also appeared as the organ grinder in Batman Returns (1992) and as one of Larry Flynt's minions in Forman's People vs. Larry Flynt (1996).
Among Schiavelli's passions was food, and he was the author of three cookbooks as well as many articles about food for newspapers and magazines. In 2001 he received a James Beard Foundation Journalism Award. His grandfather, with whom he had grown up, had worked as cook to an Italian nobleman before moving to the United States.
Schiavelli had been living on Sicily, at the village of Polizzi Generosa, and occasionally worked in Italy; in 2001 he directed a play on Sicily based on nine fables.
He was honorary co-chairman in the United States of the National Marfan Foundation, an organisation which helps those affected by Marfan Syndrome.
He married, in 1985, the actress Allyce Beasley, with whom he had a son; the marriage was dissolved three years later, and in 1992 he married a musician, Carol Mukhalian.
Is THAT what you remember from that scene? He was terrific in that.
Terrific in swearing??? ANYBODY can be proficient in that.
"John O'Conner, you sticka by my side!" - John Whorfin
He was great in Amadeus as Saleri's valet. Just a few minutes on screen, but you remember him. And it's not just that face, either...he had great delivery.
He was one of the best supporting actors. No matter what role he was in, you bought it.
John O'Connor from Buckaroo Banzi!
I'm sorry...I've never seen that; quite young, I am anyways [21 years].
wasn't he the teacher in fast times that had everybody wanting to take his class???
A fine film and worth the effort to find it. Kind of a modern day Doc Savage, Buckaroo Banzi is a Brain Surgeon, Physicist, Rock and Roll Star, who also fights crime and world terror. He goes up against the Red Electroids (who all have a first name of 'John') who are trying to get back to their home world by way of Buckaroo's "Overthruster". The Overthruster allows the user to travel through dimensions.
Its VERY funny and a nice biting Satire.
BTW the President is played by the guy who was Gestapo agent Tolt in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
in the movie ghost, how come the ghosts dont fall thru the floor, if they can pass thru walls? special ghost shoes?
Didn't he also host a PBS Italian cuisine cooking show?
-PJ
This is from--
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001704/
Vincent Schiavelli
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Date of birth (location)
10 November 1948
Brooklyn, New York, New York, USA
Date of death (details)
26 December 2005
Polizzi Generosa, Sicily, Italy. (lung cancer)
Mini biography
Vincent Schiavelli, selected in 1997 by Vanity Fair as one of the best... (show more)
Sometimes Credited As:
Vince Schiavelli
Photo Gallery IMDbPro Professional Details
Filmography as: Actor, Himself, Notable TV Guest Appearances
Actor - filmography
(2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s)
"Bambina dalle mani sporche, La" (2005) (mini) TV Series .... Silva Roibes
Miracolo a Palermo! (2005) .... Federico II
A Pena do pana (2004) .... Mr. Baker/U furnaiu/Il fornaio
... aka Pena del pane, La (Italy)
... aka The Cost of Bread (USA)
Indesiderabili, Gli (2003) .... Frank Frigenti
How to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass (2003) .... Jerry
... aka Baadasssss! (USA: new title)
... aka Badass (USA)
... aka Gettin' the Man's Foot Outta Your Baadasssss! (USA: new title)
Maximum Surge Movie (2003) (TV) .... Hellman
... aka Game Over (USA: video title)
Baggage (2003/I) .... Thomas Horelick (Blind Man)
Ferrari (2003) (TV) .... Mr. Paradise
The 4th Tenor (2002) .... Marcello
Solino (2002) .... Regisseur Baldi
Hey Arnold! The Movie (2002) (voice) .... Mr. Bailey
Death to Smoochy (2002) .... Buggy Ding Dong
... aka Tötet Smoochy (Germany)
Emperor: Battle for Dune (2002) (VG) .... Yanich Kobal
Snow White (2001) (TV) .... Wednesday (Yellow)
... aka Blanche-Neige (Canada: French title)
... aka Snow White: The Fairest of Them All (USA)
American Saint (2001) .... Charley Grebbini
3 Strikes (2000) .... Cortino
American Virgin (2000) (as Vince Schiavelli) .... Cab Driver
... aka Live Virgin (France) (UK) (USA: working title)
The Prince and the Surfer (1999) .... Baumgarten
Man on the Moon (1999) .... Maynard Smith
... aka Mondmann, Der (Germany)
Treehouse Hostage (1999) (uncredited) .... Gardener
Coyote Moon (1999) (V) .... Mr. Singh
... aka Inferno (UK: TV title) (USA)
... aka Desert Heat (USA)
Heat Vision and Jack (1999) (TV) .... Frank/Paragon
The Pooch and the Pauper (1999) (TV) .... Willy Wishbow
Milo (1998) .... Dr. Matthew Jeeder M.D.
Rusty: A Dog's Tale (1998) .... Carney Boss
... aka Rusty: The Great Rescue (USA: video title)
Casper Meets Wendy (1998) (TV) .... Vincent
Restons groupés (1998) .... Gary
Cena informale, La (1998)
Dry Martini (1998) .... Versini
Love Kills (1998) .... Emmet
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) .... Dr. Kaufman
The Beautician and the Beast (1997) .... Jailer
Blade Runner (1997) (VG) .... Bullet Bob
"The Eddie Files" (1997) TV Series .... Vincent
Lands of Lore: Guardians of Destiny (1997) (VG)
... aka Lands of Lore 2 (USA: short title)
The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) .... Chester
... aka Larry Flynt (Canada: French title)
Back to Back (1996) (TV) .... Leonardo
... aka Back to Back: American Yakuza 2
Two Much (1995) .... Sommelier
... aka Loco de amor (Spain)
... aka Two Much (Spain)
The Whipping Boy (1995) (TV) .... Cutwater
... aka Prince Brat and the Whipping Boy
... aka Prinz und der Prügelknabe, Der (Germany)
Lord of Illusions (1995) .... Vinovich
... aka Clive Barker's Lord of Illusions
Escape to Witch Mountain (1995) (TV) .... Waldo Fudd
A Little Princess (1995) .... Mr. Barrow
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995) .... The Mayor
Brothers' Destiny (1995) (TV) .... Davisport
... aka Long Road Home
... aka The Road Home
The Courtyard (1995) (TV) .... Ivan
Lurking Fear (1994) .... Knaggs
... aka H.P. Lovecraft's Lurking Fear (USA: complete title)
Corpse Killer (1994) (VG) (voice) .... Dr. Hellman
Cultivating Charlie (1994) .... Martin
Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun (1993) (V) .... Miner #1
Painted Desert (1993) .... Harry
Batman Returns (1992) .... Organ Grinder
Miracle Beach (1992) .... Mystic
Another You (1991) .... Dentist
Ted and Venus (1991) .... Publisher
Waiting for the Light (1990) .... Mullins
Ghost (1990) .... Subway Ghost
Mister Frost (1990) .... Angelo, desk clerk
... aka Mr. Frost (USA: closing credits title)
Penny Ante: The Motion Picture (1990) .... Davidson
Playroom (1990) .... Roman Hart
... aka Schizo
Valmont (1989) .... Jean
Homer & Eddie (1989) .... Priest
Cold Feet (1989) .... Vet
Time Out (1988) .... The Receptionist
Dorf and the First Games of Mount Olympus (1988) (V) .... Leonard
Bride of Boogedy (1987) (TV) .... Lazarus
Dorf on Golf (1987) (V) .... Leonard
"Fast Times" (1986) TV Series .... Mr. Hector Vargas
... aka Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Better Off Dead... (1985) .... Mr. Kerber
... aka Better Off Dead (USA)
Lots of Luck (1985) (TV) .... Skinny
The Ratings Game (1984) (TV) .... Skip
... aka The Mogul (bootleg title)
Amadeus (1984) .... Salieri's valet
... aka Amadeus: The Director's Cut (USA: director's cut)
... aka Peter Shaffer's Amadeus (USA: complete title)
... aka Peter Shaffer's Amadeus: Director's Cut (USA: director's cut)
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) .... John O'Connor
... aka The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai (USA: short title)
Kidco (1984) .... Phil Porzinski
Miss Lonelyhearts (1983) (TV) .... Sick-Of-It-All
"Likely Stories, Vol. 4" (1983) TV Series
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) .... Mr. Vargas
Night Shift (1982) .... Carl
Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981) .... B.J
American Pop (1981) (voice) .... Theatre Owner
Seed of Innocence (1980) .... Leo
... aka Teen Mothers
Nightside (1980) (TV) .... Tom Adams
The Gong Show Movie (1980) .... Mario Romani
White Mama (1980) (TV) .... Medic
Escape (1980) (TV) .... J.W. White
The Return (1980) .... Prospector
... aka Earthright
... aka The Alien's Return (USA: reissue title)
The Frisco Kid (1979) .... Brother Bruno
... aka No Knife
Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979) .... Guard
Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978) (TV) .... Dimitri
An Unmarried Woman (1978) .... Man at Party
Un autre homme, une autre chance (1977) (uncredited) .... Train Traveler
... aka Another Man, Another Chance (USA)
... aka Another Man, Another Woman (UK)
Angels (1976) .... Tex
Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976) (uncredited) .... Man at Rent Party
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) .... Frederickson
The Happy Hooker (1975) .... Music Guru
For Pete's Sake (1974) .... Check-out Man
... aka July Pork Bellies
The Great Gatsby (1974) (uncredited) .... Thin Man
"The Corner Bar" (1972) TV Series .... Peter Panama (1972)
Taking Off (1971) .... Schiavelli
Filmography as: Actor, Himself, Notable TV Guest Appearances
Himself - filmography
(In Production) (2000s) (1990s)
Once Upon a Time in Polizzi (2005) (post-production) .... Himself
Bitter Jester (2003) .... Himself
James Bond: A BAFTA Tribute (2002) (TV) .... Himself
The Making of 'Amadeus' (2002) (V) .... Himself
Chefs of Cucina Amore (1999) (TV) .... Himself
Completely Cuckoo (1997) (V) .... Himself
... aka The Making of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (USA: new title (shorter version))
Digital Pictures: Behind the Scenes 1994 (1994) (V) .... Dr. Hellman/Himself
Filmography as: Actor, Himself, Notable TV Guest Appearances
Notable TV Guest Appearances
"Seitenblicke" playing "Himself" 27 March 2002
"Family Guy" playing "Dr. Seuss Character" (voice) in episode: "A Fish Out of Water" (episode # 3.10) 19 September 2001
"Dead Last" playing "New York Tourist Guide" in episode: "Heebee Geebee's" (episode # 1.2) 21 August 2001
"Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" playing "The Pastor" in episode: "Salem's Daughter" (episode # 4.17) 3 March 2000
"Dharma & Greg" playing "Mr. Carter" in episode: "Dharma's Inferno" (episode # 3.3) 5 October 1999
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" playing "Uncle Enyos" in episode: "Innocence" (episode # 2.14) 20 January 1998
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" playing "Uncle Enyos" in episode: "Surprise" (episode # 2.13) 19 January 1998
"Perversions of Science" playing "Scientist" in episode: "Planely Possible" (episode # 1.6) 25 June 1997
"Baywatch Nights" playing "Game Master" in episode: "Nights to Dragon One" (episode # 2.14) 15 February 1997
"Hey Arnold!" playing "Mr. Bailey" (voice) in episode: "Arnold's Christmas" (episode # 1.19) 14 December 1996
"Bone Chillers" playing "Hyde" in episode: "Fitz and Hyde" (episode # 1.4) 1996
"Hey Arnold!" playing "Vincent" (voice) in episode: "Spelling Bee/Pigeon Man" (episode # 1.14) 1996
"Aaahh!!! Real Monsters" playing "Lapin Perdido" (voice) in episode: "Call ME Crazy?!" (episode # 2.7) 24 December 1995
"The X Files" playing "Lanny" in episode: "Humbug" (episode # 2.20) 31 March 1995
"M.A.N.T.I.S." playing "Michael Angelides" in episode: "Progenitor" (episode # 1.16) 20 January 1995
"Melrose Place" playing "Orderly" in episode: "In-Laws and Outlaws" (episode # 3.3) 26 September 1994
"Matrix" playing "Mr. Kahn" in episode: "Death and Taxes" (episode # 1.1) 1 March 1993
"Batman" playing "John Zatara" (voice) in episode: "Zatanna" (episode # 1.50) 2 February 1993
"Highlander" playing "Leo Atkins" in episode: "An Innocent Man" (episode # 1.2) 5 October 1992
"Eerie, Indiana" playing "Dr. Eukanuba" in episode: "The Retainer" (episode # 1.2) 22 September 1991
"Parker Lewis Can't Lose" in episode: "Future Shock" (episode # 2.4) 8 September 1991
"Tales from the Crypt" playing "Robert" in episode: "Mournin' Mess" (episode # 3.10) 31 July 1991
"Married People" in episode: "Who You Gonna Call?" (episode # 1.8) 31 October 1990
"Miami Vice" playing "Lawrence Fowler" in episode: "World of Trouble" (episode # 5.18) 14 June 1989
"Knots Landing" playing "Mr. Keener" in episode: "Birds Do It, Bees Do It" (episode # 10.20) 23 March 1989
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" playing "Minosian Peddler" in episode: "The Arsenal of Freedom" (episode # 1.21) 9 April 1988
"The Bronx Zoo" playing "Mr. O'Connor" in episode: "Truancy Blues" (episode # 2.3) 24 March 1988
"Matlock" playing "Julian" in episode: "The Gambler" (episode # 2.7) 10 November 1987
"Shell Game" playing "Casper Hall" in episode: "The Upstairs Gardener" (episode # 1.4) 29 January 1987
"MacGyver" playing "Lyle" in episode: "Soft Touch" (episode # 2.13) 19 January 1987
"Head of the Class" playing "Herman" in episode: "Ode to Simone" (episode # 1.14) 14 January 1987
"Cagney & Lacey" playing "Mongoose" in episode: "DWI" (episode # 5.14) 20 January 1986
"Remington Steele" playing "Leon Pulver" in episode: "Steele on the Air" (episode # 4.10) 7 January 1986
"The Fall Guy" playing "Arnold Rogison" in episode: "October the 32nd" (episode # 5.6) 7 December 1985
"Shadow Chasers" playing "Theo Goldberg" in episode: "Spirit of St. Louis" (episode # 1.3) 21 November 1985
"Who's the Boss?" playing "Motel Manager" in episode: "It Happened One Summer: Part 2" (episode # 2.2) 1 October 1985
"Who's the Boss?" playing "Motel Manager" in episode: "It Happened One Summer: Part 1" (episode # 2.1) 24 September 1985
"Moonlighting" playing "Rodney Dillon" in episode: "Next Stop Murder" (episode # 1.5) 26 March 1985
"Hardcastle and McCormick" playing "Fix Henderson" in episode: "The Birthday Present" (episode # 2.18) 25 February 1985
"Otherworld" playing "Pango" in episode: "Village of the Motorpigs" (episode # 1.5) 23 February 1985
"Night Court" playing "Peter DeMarco" in episode: "Harry on Trial" (episode # 2.7) 15 November 1984
"Faerie Tale Theatre" playing "Priest" in episode: "Pinocchio" (episode # 3.3) 14 May 1984
"Trapper John, M.D." in episode: "Aunt Mildred Is Watching" (episode # 5.22) 6 May 1984
"Taxi" playing "Reverend Gorky" in episode: "A Grand Gesture" (episode # 5.23) 25 May 1983
"Cagney & Lacey" playing "Obie" in episode: "A Cry for Help" (episode # 2.21) 2 May 1983
"Taxi" playing "Reverend Gorky" in episode: "Scenskees from a Marriage: Part 1" (episode # 5.4) 21 October 1982
"Taxi" playing "Reverend Gorky" in episode: "The Wedding of Latka and Simka" (episode # 4.21) 25 March 1982
"Young Maverick" in episode: "Half-Past Noon" (episode # 1.8) 30 January 1980
"Hart to Hart" playing "The Beret" in episode: "With This Gun, I Thee Wed" (episode # 1.10) 4 December 1979
"WKRP in Cincinnati" playing "Don Pesola #1" in episode: "The Contest Nobody Could Win" (episode # 1.11) 29 January 1979
"Charlie's Angels" playing "Freddie" in episode: "Angel Blues" (episode # 2.21) 8 February 1978
"Starsky and Hutch" playing "Weeze" in episode: "Murder Ward" (episode # 3.4) 8 October 1977
Our family has to get its Buckaroo Banzai fix about every 6 mos.
Lord John Worfin! Was there ever a better villan?
But Vince Schiavelli had a couple of good lines in that movie as well. He cropped up twice with "Nice night, isn't it," and when Whorfin has decided to escape in "the great ship itself," O'Conner says, "But they're only Monkey Boys, Lord Whorfin. We can defeat them here."
Great stuff!
The title comes from a letter that was once delivered to a relative, bearing the address "Bruculinu, America," for "Brooklyn." There was a time when the Post Office took its job seriously.
Bruculino, America!
What a great sense of humor!
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