Tall, dour-faced and slouch-shouldered character actor Abraham Charles Vigoda (February 24, 1921 – January 26, 2016) proved himself in both gritty dramatic roles, and as an actor with wonderful comedic timing.Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Lena (Moses) and Samuel Vigoda, both Russian Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor on the Lower East Side. He made his first stage appearance at the age of 17 and plodded away in small theater shows for over 20 years. For the majority of film-goers, Vigoda first came to prominence in The Godfather (1972) as the double-crossing Tessio, pleading with Robert Duvall to get him off the hook for old times sake. He also appeared in its sequel.Vigoda had roles in a few nondescript TV films before landing the plum part of Sgt. Phil Fish on the brilliant sitcom Barney Miller (1974). Perhaps his best known role, Sgt. Fish proved popular enough to be spun off to his own (short-lived) series Fish (1977).With his long face and unusual looks, Vigoda remained in high demand in mafioso-type roles, and for a while in the mid-1980s, he was mistakenly believed to have been dead, leading producers to remark, I need an Abe Vigoda type actor, not realizing Vigoda was still alive and well. The 1990s and beyond became busy again for him, with appearances in North (1994), The Misery Brothers (1995), A Brooklyn State of Mind (1998), and Crime Spree (2003). He continued acting into his 90s, surprising audiences with his entertaining style.Abe Vigoda died in his sleep on January 26, 2016 in Woodland Park, New Jersey.
Film 2000
Salvatore "Sal" Tessio (uncredited)
Film 1981
Sergeant Rizzuto
Film 1978
Victor Malucci
Film 1993
Louis Keaton
Film 1990
Mr. Frisch
Film 1979
Grandpa
Film 1996
Jake
Film 1978
John Dellanzia
Film 1974
Self
Film 1990
Herb
Film 1980
Abe
Film 1986
Stuff Commercial Spokesman
Film 1985
Waiter (uncredited)
Film 1965
Self
Film 1976
Carnival Pitchman
Film 1981
Uncle Morty (segment "Frankie the Squirrel")
Film 2008
Self
Film 1976
Dominic Morrell
Film 1974
The Frog
Film 2000
Film 1994
Film 2013
Al Schneider
Film 1976
Zeus
Film 1997
Self
Film 2003
Donzer
Film 1973
Kalman Wertzel
Tv 1992
Tv 1999
Tv 1979
Tv 1979
Tv 1981
Tv 1972
Abe Vigoda (voice)
Tv 1999
Tv 1992
Charlie Fletcher
Tv 1977
Tv 1976
Abe Kemper
Tv 1968
Joseph Spiaggio
Tv 2000
Tv 1966
Alfredo Bartolo / Al Bartell / Mr. Johnson
Tv 1993
Kilty
Tv 1973
Tv 1994
Old Train Passenger
Tv 1948
Tv 1971
Tv 1988
Tv 1977
Tv 1974
Tv 1988
Tv 1972
Phil Fish
Tv 1977
Tv 1978
Tv 1996
Tv 1979
Philip Fish
Tv 1975
Tv 1973
Tv 1949
Tv 1979
Self
Tv 1976
Tv 2003
Self
Tv 1974
Tv 1989
Jake Corelli
Tv 1984
Al Dancer
Tv 1974
Receptionist Angel
Tv 1994
Self
Tv 1950
Detective Landis
Tv 1990
Phil 'The Dancer' Gabriel
Tv 1974
Anton Valine
Tv 1967
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Tv 1975
Det. Phil Fish (uncredited)
Tv 1975
Judge Rinehart
Tv 1992
Det. Phil Fish
Tv 1975
Mr. Burdick (uncredited)
Tv 1969
Salvatore "Sal" Tessio (uncredited)
Tv 1977