Frank Testaverde Scioscia (October 27, 1935 – December 26, 2018) was an American actor.[3] He was perhaps best known for playing the mobster Anthony Stabile in the 1990 film Goodfellas.[4][5]
Frank Adonis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frank Testaverde Scioscia[1] October 27, 1935 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 26, 2018 (aged 83) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1971–2017 |
| Spouse | Denise Adonis[2] |
| Children | 3[2] |
Life and career
editAdonis was born in Brooklyn, New York.[6] His first film role was in 1971 in The French Connection, where he played the uncredited role of a bidder at a car auction in New York.[1][6] During the 1970s Adonis appeared in films such as Shaft's Big Score!, Cops and Robbers, Lucky Luciano, Crazy Joe, The Gambler and The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.[6][7][8] In 1978, he co-starred in the film Eyes of Laura Mars, in which he played the role of Detective Sal Volpe.[9]
In 1980 Adonis co-starred in the film Raging Bull, where he played the role of Patsy.[10] He appeared in further films including Goodfellas, Spike of Bensonhurst, Wolfen, King of New York, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Find Me Guilty, The Trouble with Cali, True Romance, Casino, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Juror and Wall Street.[6][7][8] In 2002, Adonis played the lead role of a bereaved Mafia gangster in the film High Times' Potluck. He directed the film One Deadly Road,[8] and wrote for the 2007 film The Woods Have Eyes.[2]
His television credits include The Equalizer (4 episodes), The Sopranos, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and New York Undercover.[6][7][8] His last credit was in the 2017 film Proximity to Power.[1][6]
Death
editAdonis died in December 2018, after a long battle from complications of kidney disease in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 83.[6][7][11]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | The French Connection | Bidder at New York Car Auction | Uncredited |
| The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight | Palumbo Mafia Hood | Uncredited | |
| 1972 | Shaft's Big Score! | Rip | Credited as Frank Scioscia |
| 1973 | Cops and Robbers | Picnic Hood | Credited as Frank Scioscia |
| Lucky Luciano | Killer of Gene Giannini in New York | Uncredited | |
| 1974 | Crazy Joe | Falco Family Soldier Gate Guard | Uncredited |
| The Gambler | Man in Park with Donny | Credited as Frank Scioscia | |
| The Sister in Law | Benjo | Credited as Frank Scioscia | |
| 1976 | Patty | The Sports Promoter | Credited as Frank Scioscia |
| 1978 | Eyes of Laura Mars | Sal Volpe | |
| 1979 | Punk Rock | Bartelli | Credited as Frank Martin |
| 1980 | Raging Bull | Patsy | |
| 1981 | Wolfen | Scola | |
| 1987 | One Way Out | Tough in the Warehouse | Credited as Frankie Adonis |
| Wall Street | Charlie | ||
| 1988 | Spike of Bensonhurst | Vinaca | |
| 1990 | King of New York | Paul Calgari | |
| Goodfellas | Anthony Stabile | ||
| 1992 | Bad Lieutenant | Large | |
| 1993 | True Romance | Frankie | |
| 1994 | Ace Ventura: Pet Detective | Vinnie | |
| 1995 | Finding Interest | The Godfather | |
| Casino | Rocky | ||
| 1996 | The Juror | DeCicco | |
| 1998 | Mob Queen | Maderiaga | |
| 1999 | Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai | Valerio's Bodyguard | |
| Black & White | Frank | ||
| 2001 | Mafioso: The Father, the Son | Luca Veneri | |
| 2002 | High Times' Potluck | Frank | |
| 2006 | Find Me Guilty | Phil Radda | |
| Saddam | Joe DiBello | ||
| 2007 | The Woods Have Eyes | Bubba | |
| 2012 | The Trouble with Cali | Uncle Vito | |
| 2017 | Proximity to Power | Final role |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–1989 | The Equalizer | Limo Driver / Chauffeur | 4 episodes |
| 1989 | America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back | Fran Deciccio | Episode: "Paul Castellano" |
| 1996 | New York Undercover | Sonny Bruno | Episode: "Checkmate" |
| 2000 | The Sopranos | Guest #1 | Episode: "House Arrest" |
| 2004 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Eddie | Episode: "Fico Di Capo" |
References
edit- ^ a b c "'Goodfellas' character actor Frank Adonis dead at 83". USA Today. December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c Sippell, Margeaux (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis, Actor in 'Goodfellas,' 'Raging Bull,' Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ Associated Press (December 28, 2018). "Report: Actor Frank Adonis, Known for 'Goodfellas,' Has Died". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Connelly, Marie (1993). Martin Scorsese: An Analysis of His Feature Films, with a Filmography of His Entire Directorial Career. McFarland. p. 168. ISBN 9780899508450 – via Google Books.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 27, 2018). "Tony Sirico Remembers 'Goodfellas' Co-Star Frank Adonis". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Pedersen, Erik (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis Dies: 'Goodfellas' & 'Raging Bull' Actor Was 83". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Lentz, Harris (May 30, 2019). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. McFarland. p. 4. ISBN 9781476636559 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d Perez, Lexy (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis, Actor From 'Goodfellas,' Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (August 4, 1978). "Screen: 'Eyes of Laura Mars': In The Netherworld". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (November 14, 1980). "Robert De Niro in 'Raging Bull'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ Boroff, David (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis, actor who played real-life mobster Anthony Stabile in 'Goodfellas,' dies at 83". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 22, 2021.