Vincent Gardenia (MUSHNIK)
During
the '70s and '80s Vincent Gardenia was one of the most familiar character
actors in film, television, and on the Broadway stage. Though viewers
may not always have remembered his name, his sad eyes, hawk-nosed Italian-American
face, short, stocky build, and distinctive often booming Brooklyn-accented
voice and exaggerated gestures made him instantly recognizable.
Gardenia was born Vincent Scognamiglio in Naples,
Italy, but he was raised in New York from the age of two. Once in the
Big Apple, his father founded an Italian-language theater troupe and it
is with them that Gardenia learned his craft. When he was 14, Gardenia
dropped out of school to become a full-time actor with the company. He
was in the army during WWII; after his discharge he returned to work in
his father's theater and in other Italian-American productions. Though
he had played a bit part in the 1945 film The House on 92nd Street, Gardenia
did not launch his real film career until he was in his mid-thirties and
played his first major role in The Cop Hater (1958). 
Though most often cast as Italian-Americans or in simple
ethnic roles, Gardenia was a versatile actor who could easily switch from
comedic to dramatic roles in films of widely varying quality. Some of
his best-known roles include that of a bartender in 1961 in The Hustler,
and Dutch Schnell in Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) opposite Robert De Niro.
The latter garnered Gardenia his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting
Actor. Gardenia's second nomination came in 1987 for his memorable port
rayal
of Cher's father in Moonstruck.
The character actor was 70 when he played his final role in the Joe Pesci vehicle The Super (1991). Gardenia's considerable television work includes the soap opera Edge of Night, a regular role on All in the Family (during the 1973-1974 season), the short-lived series Breaking Away (1980-1981), and a semi-regular role on L.A. Law in 1990. He has also made numerous guest appearances. Gardenia died of heart failure in 1992 at the age of 70. ~
Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Vincent's Filmography:
Contact the WebMaster at m.a.coombes@durham.ac.uk