Abe Vigoda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abe Vigoda
Vigoda in 1975
Born	Abraham Charles Vigoda (1921-02-24)February 24, 1921 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	January 26, 2016(2016-01-26) (aged 94) Woodland Park, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting place	Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1947–2014
Spouse(s)	Sonja Gohlke (died 1969) ​ ​ (m. 1939; div. 1963)​ Beatrice Schy ​ ​ (m. 1968; died 1992)​
Children	1

Abraham Charles Vigoda (February 24, 1921 – January 26, 2016) was an American actor known for his portrayals of Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather (1972) and Phil Fish in both Barney Miller (1975–1977, 1982) and Fish (1977–1978).

Early life, family and education

Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, New York, on February 24, 1921, the son of Samuel Vigoda and Lena Moses, Jewish immigrants from Russia. His father was a tailor who had two other sons: Hy and Bill. The latter was a comic book artist who drew for the Archie Comics franchise and others in the 1940s. Upon leaving school, Vigoda worked as a printer before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1943, serving in World War II. After his military service, he studied acting on the GI Bill at the American Theatre Wing. In the late 1940s, he began working in radio and made his television debut in an installment of the live drama series Studio One.

Career

Vigoda as Phil Fish in Fish (1977)

Vigoda began acting while in his 20s, working with the American Theatre Wing. His career as a professional actor began in 1947.

He gained acting notability in the 1960s with his work in Broadway productions, including Marat/Sade (1967), portraying Mad Animal; The Man in the Glass Booth (1968), portraying Landau; Inquest (1970); and Tough to Get Help (1972), portraying Abraham Lincoln.

His best known film role is that of Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather (1972). He also appeared briefly in The Godfather Part II in a flashback sequence at the end of the film. According to Francis Ford Coppola's commentary on the DVD's widescreen edition, Vigoda landed the role of Tessio in an "open call", in which actors who did not have agents could come in for an audition.

He gained further fame as Phil Fish on Barney Miller, a character known for his world-weary demeanor.

Vigoda's character on Barney Miller was popular, and a spin off television series, Fish, was created for him in 1977. The series, a situation comedy, ran from February 5, 1977, to May 18, 1978.

Personal life

Vigoda and his first wife Sonja Gohlke had one daughter named Carol. The marriage ended in divorce. His second marriage to Beatrice Schy lasted from 1968 until her death in 1992.

Vigoda enjoyed playing handball and stated in an interview that he was "almost" a champion at the game in his youth.

Death

On January 26, 2016, one month before his 95th birthday, Vigoda died in his sleep at his daughter Carol Fuchs' home in Woodland Park, New Jersey, of natural causes. He had gone there "to escape the hazards of a blizzard."

Vigoda's funeral was held on January 31, 2016. Notable figures including comic Gilbert Gottfried and former New York City mayor David Dinkins attended. He was buried in the Beth David Cemetery at Elmont, Nassau County, New York.

On the 2017 Academy Awards show, Vigoda was not included in the show's memorial reel, surprising many and prompting a small PR backlash.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video game

See also

In Spanish: Abe Vigoda para niños