Raymond Sharkey Jr. (November 14, 1952 â€" June 11, 1993) was an
American stage, film and television actor. His most notable film role
was that of Vincent Vacarri in the 1980 film The Idolmaker for which
he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor â€" Motion Picture
Musical or Comedy. He is also known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave
in the television series Wiseguy.Sharkey was born in Brooklyn to
Cecelia and Ray Sharkey, Sr. He was of Irish and Italian descent.
Sharkey's father was a professional drummer who abandoned the family
when Sharkey was five years old. He was raised by his mother, Cecelia
in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. Sharkey became interested in
acting after seeing Jack Lemmon in the 1962 film Days of Wine and
Roses. After attending New York City Community College for one year,
he enrolled at the HB Studio to study acting. While attending the HB
Studio, Sharkey performed in various Off-Broadway stage productions.
In 1973, he and his friend boxer/actor Chu Chu Malave moved to Los
Angeles to pursue acting careers.In 1974, he made his film debut in
The Lords of Flatbush. Sharkey went on to appear in more than forty
motion pictures and dozens of guest appearances on various television
series.In 1980, Sharkey portrayed rock promoter "Vincent "Vinnie"
Vacarri" in The Idolmaker. The role boosted Sharkey's career and
earned him a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film. The
following year, he was nominated for another Golden Globe for his role
in The Ordeal of Bill Carney, in which he played the title role.
Shortly after appearing in The Idolmaker, Sharkey developed a $400 a
day heroin habit. As a result of his drug use, his career declined and
he was relegated to mainly supporting roles. He overdosed several
times and was involved in four drug-related car accidents, two of
which required him to undergo microsurgery on his eyes. He tried
undergoing rehab treatment several times but would ultimately relapse
a few months later. In 1987, Sharkey spent two months in an Orange
County rehab center in an effort to kick his drug and alcohol
addiction for good.
American stage, film and television actor. His most notable film role
was that of Vincent Vacarri in the 1980 film The Idolmaker for which
he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor â€" Motion Picture
Musical or Comedy. He is also known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave
in the television series Wiseguy.Sharkey was born in Brooklyn to
Cecelia and Ray Sharkey, Sr. He was of Irish and Italian descent.
Sharkey's father was a professional drummer who abandoned the family
when Sharkey was five years old. He was raised by his mother, Cecelia
in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. Sharkey became interested in
acting after seeing Jack Lemmon in the 1962 film Days of Wine and
Roses. After attending New York City Community College for one year,
he enrolled at the HB Studio to study acting. While attending the HB
Studio, Sharkey performed in various Off-Broadway stage productions.
In 1973, he and his friend boxer/actor Chu Chu Malave moved to Los
Angeles to pursue acting careers.In 1974, he made his film debut in
The Lords of Flatbush. Sharkey went on to appear in more than forty
motion pictures and dozens of guest appearances on various television
series.In 1980, Sharkey portrayed rock promoter "Vincent "Vinnie"
Vacarri" in The Idolmaker. The role boosted Sharkey's career and
earned him a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film. The
following year, he was nominated for another Golden Globe for his role
in The Ordeal of Bill Carney, in which he played the title role.
Shortly after appearing in The Idolmaker, Sharkey developed a $400 a
day heroin habit. As a result of his drug use, his career declined and
he was relegated to mainly supporting roles. He overdosed several
times and was involved in four drug-related car accidents, two of
which required him to undergo microsurgery on his eyes. He tried
undergoing rehab treatment several times but would ultimately relapse
a few months later. In 1987, Sharkey spent two months in an Orange
County rehab center in an effort to kick his drug and alcohol
addiction for good.
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