Tony Franciosa

Tony Franciosa:  born Anthony Papaleo, 25 October 1928, New York City, New York; died 19 January 2006, Los Angeles California.

First credit: Studio One in Hollywood (TV 1955) ‘It Might Happen Tomorrow’ – Charles Egan
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The Pleasure Seekers (25-Dec-1964) Emilio Lacayo
A Man Could Get Killed (25-Mar-66) Steve / Antonio
The Swinger (Paramount 14-Nov-1966) Ric Colby
Fathom (13-Dec-1967) Peter Merriwether
The Sweet Ride (22-May-68)
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Final credit: Dellaventura (TV 1997) ‘Above Reproach’ – Sergio Alfano

New York Times (www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/arts/21franciosa.html)

Anthony Franciosa, TV and Film Actor, Dies at 77

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (AP) – Anthony Franciosa, whose strong portrayals of moody, troubled characters made him a Hollywood star in the 1950’s and 60’s but whose combative behavior on movie sets hampered his career, died here on Thursday. He was 77.

The cause was a stroke, his publicist, Dick Guttman, said.

Mr. Franciosa was one of a wave of actors in the mid-20th century who revolutionized film acting with their introspective, intensely realistic approach. Most were schooled in the Method, the style of acting taught at the Actors Studio in New York. They included Marlon Brando, James Dean, Rod Steiger, Paul Newman and Shelley Winters.

Mr. Franciosa was married to Winters, who died last weekend, from 1957 to 1960.

Mr. Franciosa was also married to Beatrice Bakalyar, a writer, and Judy Balaban Kanter, a real estate agent, with whom he had a daughter, Nina. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife since 1970, Rita Thiel, a German fashion model; their sons Christopher and Marco; and a granddaughter.

From his first important film role, as the brother of a drug addict in “A Hatful of Rain,” Mr. Franciosa became known for his portrayals of complicated young men. He received a 1956 Tony nomination for his performance in the “Hatful” role, which he created on Broadway, then an Oscar nomination for his part in the 1957 movie of the play. In 1957, he appeared in three other films, “This Could Be the Night,” “A Face in the Crowd” and “Wild Is the Wind.”

Mr. Franciosa’s career continued in high gear with films like “The Long, Hot Summer,” “The Naked Maja” (in which he played Goya), “The Story on Page One,” “Period of Adjustment,” “Rio Conchos” and “The Pleasure Seekers.”

His behavior on movie productions became the subject of Hollywood gossip. The stories were of fiery disputes with directors, his sulking in his dressing room and outbursts directed at other actors.

“I went out to Hollywood in the mid-1950’s,” he said in a 1996 interview, “and I would say I went there a little too early. It was an incredible amount of attention, and I wasn’t quite mature enough psychologically and emotionally for it.”

Mr. Franciosa’s assertive attitude extended beyond movie sets; in 1957 he served 10 days in the Los Angeles County jail for hitting a news photographer. His reputation contributed to a downturn in Hollywood offers, and his career veered to European-made films and television. His first television series, “Valentine’s Day,” cast him as a swinging New York publishing executive involved in numerous romances. It lasted one season, from 1964 to 1965.

In “The Name of the Game” (1968-71), Mr. Franciosa alternated with Gene Barry and Robert Stack as adventurous members of a Los Angeles publishing firm. In 1971, the producing company, Universal Pictures, fired him, charging erratic behavior. He countered that the company had treated him badly and had demanded that he take a pay cut.

The 1975 television series “Matt Helm,” with Mr. Franciosa as the wisecracking detective of the title (a role Dean Martin played in feature films), was canceled after half a season.

Mr. Franciosa was born Anthony Papaleo on Oct. 25, 1928, in New York City. He was billed as both Anthony and Tony over his career. He was 1 when his father disappeared, and grew up tough in Manhattan slums. “Getting in the first blow was something I learned in childhood,” he once said.

After working in odd jobs and sometimes sleeping in flophouses, at 18 he attended an audition for actors at the Y.M.C.A. and was chosen for two plays. He later studied at the Actors Studio and the New School for Social Research. Adopting his mother’s maiden name, Franciosa, he began getting roles in television and the theater. “A Hatful of Rain” made him a star.