Al Ruscio | |
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Born | June 2, 1924 Salem, Massachusetts |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1950-present |
Spouse | Kate Williamson (1954 - present) |
Al Ruscio (born June 2, 1924) is an American character actor who has appeared in numerous television series and film. He graduated from Salem High School (Salem, MA).
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Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Ruscio has spent most of his acting career playing character roles. After graduating college he moved to New York City and trained for two years at The Neighborhood Playhouse School for the Theater. He played many roles in New York and in summer stock, including co-starring with Steve McQueen and Kim Stanley among others. His first work in live television came in New York City. He moved to Los Angeles in 1958. His first role there was Tony in Al Capone with Rod Steiger (1958). He then appeared in many television shows including Gunsmoke (1958), 77 Sunset Strip (1959), Bonanza (1960–1961), and in Peter Gunn (1961). He has also acted in soap operas including Port Charles, Days of our Lives and Santa Barbara as R. J. Bentson. Ruscio has made repeated guest appearances on The Lawless Years, The Untouchables, The Rockford Files, Lou Grant, Barney Miller, Hill Street Blues, and 7th Heaven. He has also had recurring roles on Falcon Crest, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Life Goes On, and Manhattan, AZ. Although typically cast in guest spots, Ruscio has co-starred in three short-lived series: Shannon (1981–1982, starring Kevin Dobson), Steambath (1983), and Joe's Life (1993).[1]
In addition to television work, Ruscio has had roles in several films including Any Which Way You Can (1980) with Clint Eastwood, Jagged Edge (1985) starring Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges, The Godfather Part III (1990), Guilty by Suspicion (1991) with Robert De Niro, Showgirls (1995), and The Phantom (1996).[1]
In the 1960s Ruscio left Los Angeles to create the drama department at the newly formed Midwestern College in Denison, Iowa. After five years there he moved to Windsor, Canada where he was professor of acting at University of Windsor. From there he was invited to serve as Artistic Rirector of the Academy of Dramatic Art at Oakland University, where his wife also taught acting. They moved back to Los Angeles in 1975 where they resumed their acting and teaching careers. [2] [3]
Ruscio has four children with wife Kate Williamson: Elizabeth, Michael, Maria, and Nina Ruscio. Elizabeth, Michael, and Nina are also involved in show business.
Film | |||
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Year | Film | Role | Notes |
1959 | Al Capone | Tony Genaro | |
1960 | The Music Box Kid | Thomas Morrell aka Five Points | Uncredited |
1968 | Fever Heat | Al Demarco | |
1983 | Deadly Force | Sam Goodwin | |
1989 | Romero | Bishop Estrada | |
1991 | Future Kick | Kramer | |
1994 | The Silence of the Hams | Phillip Morris | Alternative title: Il Silenzio dei Prosciutti |
1995 | Xtro 3: Watch the Skies | The General | |
1992 | I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore | Uncle Dominic | |
1994 | Dickwad | Mr. Leon | |
2001 | Boss of Bosses | Carlo Gambino | |
2005 | Complete Guide to Guys | Senior Husband | |
2007 | The Gift: Life Unwrapped | Hank | Alternative title: The Gift: At Risk |
2008 | Winged Creatures | Angelo | Alternative title: Fragments |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1958 | Playhouse 90 | Weinshank | 1 episode |
1959 | Mr. Lucky | Lieutenant | 1 episode |
1960 | Lock-Up | Willy Carson | 1 episode |
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater | Pietro Poli | 1 episode | |
M Squad | Freddie Canelli | 1 episode | |
Wrangler | Wes Martin | 1 episode | |
1961 | Thriller | Allah El Kazim | 1 episode |
The Islanders | Rami | 1 episode | |
Peter Gunn | Inspector Georges | 1 episode | |
1962 | 87th Precinct | Joe Brooks | 1 episode |
Going My Way | Jimmy Cipollaro | 1 episode | |
Follow the Sun | Gus | 1 episode | |
1963 | Ripcord | Carlo Minelli | 1 episode |
Have Gun – Will Travel | Machado | 1 episode | |
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Dr. Taylor | 1 episode | |
1964 | The Greatest Show on Earth | Julio | 1 episode |
The Great Adventure | Nez Coupe | 1 episode | |
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea | Dimitri | 1 episode | |
1975 | The Six Million Dollar Man | Chester Goddard | 1 episode |
Marcus Welby, M.D. | Judge Angelotti | 1 episode | |
Police Woman | Scotto | 1 episode | |
1976 | One Day at a Time | Mr. Romano | 1 episode |
1977 | Starsky and Hutch | Roper | 1 episode |
1978 | The Incredible Hulk | Mr. Sariego | 1 episode |
1979 | Salvage 1 | Agamemnon | 1 episode |
Fantasy Island | Anton | 1 episode | |
1981 | Hart to Hart | Mr. Six | 1 episode |
Taxi | Dr. Webster | 1 episode | |
1982 | The Fall Guy | Harvey | 1 episode |
Police Squad! | Dutch | 1 episode | |
T. J. Hooker | Gino Minelli | 1 episode | |
1983 | Bring 'Em Back Alive | Miklos | 1 episode |
1984 | Highway to Heaven | Petros | 1 episode |
1985 | The A-Team | Gino Gianni | 1 episode |
Stir Crazy | Mike Forbes | 1 episode | |
Who's the Boss? | Joseph | 1 episode | |
1986 | Riptide | Monty Paradise | 1 episode |
Hardcastle and McCormick | Charlie Masaryk | 1 episode | |
Sledge Hammer! | Don Phillip Souza | 1 episode | |
Simon & Simon | Nicky Walters | 1 episode | |
The Wizard | Pransk | 1 episode | |
1987 | Starman | Matteo Gionetti | 1 episode |
MacGyver | Paul Webber | 1 episode | |
Brothers | Uncle Charlie | 1 episode | |
1989 | Amen | Willie Garlotti | 1 episode |
Santa Barbara | R.J. Bentson | ||
Hard Time on Planet Earth | Carlo Caretti | 1 episode | |
War and Remembrance | Marshal Josef Stalin | Miniseries | |
1990 | The Fanelli Boys | Archbishop Mosconi | 1 episode |
1991 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Henry Silver | 1 episode |
Ferris Bueller | Tony | 1 episode | |
Brooklyn Bridge | Johnny | 1 episode | |
The Wonder Years | Mr. Harris | 1 episode | |
1992 | Tequila and Bonetti | Stefano | 1 episode |
Mad About You | Uncle Jules | 1 episode | |
1993 | Murder, She Wrote | Santo Angelini | 1 episode |
1994 | Seinfeld | Restaurant Manager | 1 episode |
Diagnosis: Murder | John Strega | 1 episode | |
1995 | Pig Sty | Father Poma | 1 episode |
1996 | ER | Mr. Dellanova | 1 episode |
1997 | Malcolm & Eddie | Johnny Beaumont | 1 episode |
1998 | Tracey Takes On... | Otto Cornowitz | 1 episode |
NYPD Blue | Artie Rosen | 1 episode | |
1999 | The X-Files | Elder #4 | 2 episodes |
The Norm Show | Father O'Haberly | 1 episode | |
2002 | First Monday | Uncle Willie | 2 episodes |
The Guardian | Albert "Sparky" Walters | 1 episode | |
2007 | 'Til Death | Len | 1 episode |