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Frank Adonis

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Frank Adonis
Born
Frank Testaverde Scioscia[1]

(1935-10-27)October 27, 1935
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 26, 2018(2018-12-26) (aged 83)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1971–2017
SpouseDenise Adonis[2]
Children3[2]

Frank Testaverde Scioscia (October 27, 1935 – December 26, 2018) was an American film and television actor.[3] He was perhaps best known for playing the mobster Anthony Stabile in the 1990 film Goodfellas.[4][5]

Life and career

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Adonis was born in Brooklyn, New York.[6] His first film role was in 1971 in The French Connection, where he played the uncredited role of a bidder at a car auction in New York.[1][6] During the 1970s Adonis appeared in films such as Shaft's Big Score!, Cops and Robbers, Lucky Luciano, Crazy Joe, The Gambler and The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.[6][7][8] In 1978, he co-starred in the film Eyes of Laura Mars, in which he played the role of Detective Sal Volpe.[9]

In 1980 Adonis co-starred in the film Raging Bull, where he played the role of Patsy.[10] He appeared in further films including Goodfellas, Spike of Bensonhurst, Wolfen, King of New York, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Find Me Guilty, The Trouble with Cali, True Romance, Casino, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Juror and Wall Street.[6][7][8] In 2002, Adonis played the lead role of a bereaved Mafia gangster in the film High Times' Potluck. He directed the film One Deadly Road,[8] and wrote for the 2007 film The Woods Have Eyes.[2]

His television credits include The Equalizer (4 episodes), The Sopranos, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and New York Undercover.[6][7][8] His last credit was in the 2017 film Proximity to Power.[1][6]

Death

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Adonis died in December 2018, after a long battle from complications of kidney disease in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 83.[6][7][11]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 The French Connection Bidder at New York Car Auction Uncredited
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight Palumbo Mafia Hood Uncredited
1972 Shaft's Big Score! Rip Credited as Frank Scioscia
1973 Cops and Robbers Picnic Hood Credited as Frank Scioscia
Lucky Luciano Killer of Gene Giannini in New York Uncredited
1974 Crazy Joe Falco Family Soldier Gate Guard Uncredited
The Gambler Man in Park with Donny Credited as Frank Scioscia
The Sister in Law Benjo Credited as Frank Scioscia
1976 Patty The Sports Promoter Credited as Frank Scioscia
1978 Eyes of Laura Mars Sal Volpe
1979 Punk Rock Bartelli Credited as Frank Martin
1980 Raging Bull Patsy
1981 Wolfen Scola
1987 One Way Out Tough in the Warehouse Credited as Frankie Adonis
Wall Street Charlie
1988 Spike of Bensonhurst Vinaca
1990 King of New York Paul Calgari
Goodfellas Anthony Stabile
1992 Bad Lieutenant Large
1993 True Romance Frankie
1994 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Vinnie
1995 Finding Interest The Godfather
Casino Rocky
1996 The Juror DeCicco
1998 Mob Queen Maderiaga
1999 Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai Valerio's Bodyguard
Black & White Frank
2001 Mafioso: The Father, the Son Luca Veneri
2002 High Times' Potluck Frank
2006 Find Me Guilty Phil Radda
Saddam Joe DiBello
2007 The Woods Have Eyes Bubba
2012 The Trouble with Cali Uncle Vito
2017 Proximity to Power Final role

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1985–1989 The Equalizer Limo Driver / Chauffeur 4 episodes
1989 America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back Fran Deciccio Episode: "Paul Castellano"
1996 New York Undercover Sonny Bruno Episode: "Checkmate"
2000 The Sopranos Guest #1 Episode: "House Arrest"
2004 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Eddie Episode: "Fico Di Capo"

References

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  1. ^ a b c "'Goodfellas' character actor Frank Adonis dead at 83". USA Today. December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Sippell, Margeaux (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis, Actor in 'Goodfellas,' 'Raging Bull,' Dies at 83". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  3. ^ Associated Press (December 28, 2018). "Report: Actor Frank Adonis, Known for 'Goodfellas,' Has Died". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ Connelly, Marie (1993). Martin Scorsese: An Analysis of His Feature Films, with a Filmography of His Entire Directorial Career. McFarland. p. 168. ISBN 9780899508450 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 27, 2018). "Tony Sirico Remembers 'Goodfellas' Co-Star Frank Adonis". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Pedersen, Erik (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis Dies: 'Goodfellas' & 'Raging Bull' Actor Was 83". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Lentz, Harris (May 30, 2019). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. McFarland. p. 4. ISBN 9781476636559 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ a b c d Perez, Lexy (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis, Actor From 'Goodfellas,' Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  9. ^ Maslin, Janet (August 4, 1978). "Screen: 'Eyes of Laura Mars': In The Netherworld". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  10. ^ Canby, Vincent (November 14, 1980). "Robert De Niro in 'Raging Bull'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  11. ^ Boroff, David (December 27, 2018). "Frank Adonis, actor who played real-life mobster Anthony Stabile in 'Goodfellas,' dies at 83". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
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