Michael Vincenzo Gazzo (April 5, 1923 â€" February 14, 1995) was an
American playwright who later in life became a film and television
actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The
Godfather Part II (1974).Gazzo was born on April 5, 1923. He was a
member of the Actors Studio and later trained actors such as Debra
Winger, Henry Silva and Tony Sirico. He wrote A Hatful of Rain, a
Broadway play about drug addiction, which ran for 389 performances in
1955 and 1956. It starred Ben Gazzara and Shelley Winters in the two
lead roles, and was adapted into a film by Oscar-winning director Fred
Zinnemann in 1957. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Anthony Franciosa). A 1968
made-for-television version (as a filmed play) starred Peter Falk,
Sandy Dennis and Michael Parks. Gazzo's other screen writing credits
include the Elvis Presley American musical drama King Creole in 1958.
Gazzo authored the Broadway play The Night Circus, also starring Ben
Gazzara.Gazzo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting
Actor for his role as Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II.Gazzo
died on February 14, 1995 at age 71 due to complications from a
stroke. He was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
in Los Angeles.
American playwright who later in life became a film and television
actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The
Godfather Part II (1974).Gazzo was born on April 5, 1923. He was a
member of the Actors Studio and later trained actors such as Debra
Winger, Henry Silva and Tony Sirico. He wrote A Hatful of Rain, a
Broadway play about drug addiction, which ran for 389 performances in
1955 and 1956. It starred Ben Gazzara and Shelley Winters in the two
lead roles, and was adapted into a film by Oscar-winning director Fred
Zinnemann in 1957. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Anthony Franciosa). A 1968
made-for-television version (as a filmed play) starred Peter Falk,
Sandy Dennis and Michael Parks. Gazzo's other screen writing credits
include the Elvis Presley American musical drama King Creole in 1958.
Gazzo authored the Broadway play The Night Circus, also starring Ben
Gazzara.Gazzo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting
Actor for his role as Frank Pentangeli in The Godfather Part II.Gazzo
died on February 14, 1995 at age 71 due to complications from a
stroke. He was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
in Los Angeles.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.