Best known for his roles in Godfather 2 and Do The Right Thing, Danny Aiello died at the age of 86 from a “brief illness”.
Veteran film actor Danny Aiello, known for his roles in the movies Do The Right Thing and The Godfather Part II, is no more. He was 86. He also played Madonna’s father in the 1986 video for Papa Don’t Preach. His family said with “profound sorrow” in a statement that he died after a short illness, reports bbc.com.
A veteran of stage and film, Aiello was best known for playing the pizza parlour owner Sal in Spike Lee’s 1989 Do the Right Thing. The role earned him a best supporting actor Oscar nomination. He also played the hesitant fiance of Cher’s character, Loretta, in Moonstruck in 1987.
“It is with profound sorrow to report that Danny Aiello, beloved husband, father, grandfather, actor and musician passed away last night after a brief illness,” the family said, in a statement to the BBC from his literary agent Jennifer De Chiara.
“The family asks for privacy at this time. Service arrangements will be announced at a later date,” the statement further reads.
Filmmaker Kevin Smith paid tribute to Aiello for his role in Do the Right Thing.
KevinSmith✔@ThatKevinSmith
Rest in Power, Danny Aiello. “Do the Right Thing” was an important film for me and your portrayal of Sal was so real. I’ll never forget your performances in “The Odds” episode of “Tales from the Dark Side” and as the Police Captain in “January Man.” You were the glue in movies. https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1205514099284742146 …
The New York Times✔@nytimes
Danny Aiello, the character actor who played the pizzeria owner in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” died on Thursday. He was 86.https://nyti.ms/2PE0sns
In The Godfather Part II, Aiello had a relatively small part as small-time gangster Tony Rosato but he made the role his own by uttering the famous line, “Michael Corleone says hello!” during a raid on gang rival Frank Pentangeli.
Aiello’s big acting break came in the early 1970s in the baseball drama Bang the Drum Slowly, starring Robert De Niro. His other credits include Fort Apache the Bronx, Once Upon a Time in America, The Purple Rose of Cairo and Hudson Hawk.
Full Metal Jacket actor Matthew Modine paid tribute to his “love, wisdom, talents and grace”, while Mia Farrow said he was a “lovely person”.
Matthew Modine✔@MatthewModine
Danny Aiello is now sleeping with the stars. Thank you for everything, Danny. Your love, wisdom, talents and grace touched us all. Buon viaggio
Mia Farrow✔@MiaFarrow
So very sad to hear that Danny Aiello has died. He was a superb actor and a lovely person. It was a joy and an honor to work with him (in Broadway Danny Rose) Condolences and love to his family https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1205514099284742146 …
The New York Times
✔@nytimesDanny Aiello, the character actor who played the pizzeria owner in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” died on Thursday. He was 86.https://nyti.ms/2PE0sns
As well as acting, Aiello had a singing career, he released several big-band style albums including Live from Atlantic City in 2008.
Prasanta Patnaik