Vincent Andrew Schiavelli (/ËŒskiË É™ËˆvÉ›li/; November 11, 1948 â€"
December 26, 2005) was an American character actor and food writer
noted for his work on stage, screen, and television. Described as an
"instantly recognizable sad-faced actor", Schiavelli was diagnosed
with Marfan syndrome in childhood.Schiavelli gained fame as a
character actor, mainly in supporting roles. His best-known roles
include Fredrickson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Mr.
Vargas in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), the Subway Ghost in
Ghost (1990), Organ Grinder in Batman Returns (1992), Chester in The
People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), Dr. Kaufman in Tomorrow Never Dies
(1997) and ABC executive Maynard Smith in Man on the Moon
(1999).Before his death in 2005, Schiavelli was considered by many as
one of Hollywood's best character actors. Roger Ebert stated
Schiavelli "had a way of slipping into films without people knowing
his name, but they remembered his great performances as unique
characters."Schiavelli was born in Brooklyn to a Sicilian-American
family, the son of John Schiavelli and Katherine Coco. He attended
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn. He studied acting
through the theatre program at New York University and began
performing on stage in the 1960s.
December 26, 2005) was an American character actor and food writer
noted for his work on stage, screen, and television. Described as an
"instantly recognizable sad-faced actor", Schiavelli was diagnosed
with Marfan syndrome in childhood.Schiavelli gained fame as a
character actor, mainly in supporting roles. His best-known roles
include Fredrickson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Mr.
Vargas in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), the Subway Ghost in
Ghost (1990), Organ Grinder in Batman Returns (1992), Chester in The
People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), Dr. Kaufman in Tomorrow Never Dies
(1997) and ABC executive Maynard Smith in Man on the Moon
(1999).Before his death in 2005, Schiavelli was considered by many as
one of Hollywood's best character actors. Roger Ebert stated
Schiavelli "had a way of slipping into films without people knowing
his name, but they remembered his great performances as unique
characters."Schiavelli was born in Brooklyn to a Sicilian-American
family, the son of John Schiavelli and Katherine Coco. He attended
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn. He studied acting
through the theatre program at New York University and began
performing on stage in the 1960s.
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