Wally Cassell
| Wally Cassell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Oswaldo Castellano March 3, 1912 Agrigento, Sicily |
| Died |
April 2, 2015 (aged 103) Palm Desert, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | Sicilian American |
| Occupation | Actor and businessman |
| Years active | 1942–1964 |
| Spouse(s) | Marcy McGuire (1947–2015) |
Wally Cassell (March 3, 1912 – April 2, 2015), born as Oswaldo Silvestri Trippilini Rolando Vincenza Castellano, was an Italian-born American film-noir character actor and businessman. (A 1951 newspaper article gives Cassell's real name as Osvaldo Tripolini Ronaldo Vincennes Castelleno.)[1]
Early years
The son of Luigi and Luisa Castellano,[2] Castellano was born in Agrigento, Sicily, and moved with his family to the United States when he was two years of age. (Another source says that his parents brought him to Brooklyn, New York, "when I was a babe in arms.")[3] As a youngster, Cassell was a dancer, but he abandoned dancing to concentrate on acting.[3]
Film
Cassell began his film career in 1942, (Another source says, "He ... realized a childhood ambition to become an actor with a role in Labor Pains in 1937.")[2] initially appearing in small, uncredited roles. Mickey Rooney, with whom Cassell appeared in the film noir Quicksand (1950), is credited with suggesting the change of name to Wally Cassell.[4] Rooney is also credited with helping Cassell gain a screen test and a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.[5]
His films include The Thin Man Goes Home (1945), The Story of G.I. Joe (1945), The Clock (1945), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946), Guilty (1947), Loves of Carmen (1948), Saigon (1948), Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), White Heat (1949),Quicksand (1950), City That Never Sleeps (1953), Island in the Sky (1953), Law and Order (1953), Princess of the Nile (1954), Until They Sail (1957), and I, Madman (1989).
Television
Cassell later appeared in two syndicated programs starring Jim Davis: Stories of the Century, in the role of gunman Luke Short, and Rescue 8, as Johnny French in "One More Step." Cassell also guest-starred in several television series, including The Loretta Young Show (1955), Gunsmoke (1956), the 1959 premier episode of The Untouchables ("The Empty Chair"), Rawhide (1960), and The Beverly Hillbillies (1963).
Later years
Cassell retired from acting in 1964 and became a successful businessman.
Personal life
Cassell was married to actress and singer Marcy McGuire (b,1926) from August 30, 1947,[6] until his death.[7] Cassell's daughter, Cindy Cassell, became an actress. At age 13, she had the role of Pony Hutchinson in the Walt Disney Studios film Emil and the Detectives (1964).[8]
Death
Cassell died at the age of 103 at his home in Palm Desert, California on April 2, 2015.[4] He was the last surviving actor in most of his films due to his longevity.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Fingers at the Window | Photographer |
| Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant | Gangster | |
| Stand By for Action | Talker | |
| 1943 | The Human Comedy | Man flirting |
| Pilot ♯5 | Soldier | |
| Salute to the Marines | Marine corporal | |
| Thousands Cheer | Jack | |
| Swing Fever | Cassidy | |
| 1943 | Maisie Goes to Reno | Reporter |
| Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo | Sailor | |
| National Velvet | Jockey | |
| Music for Millions | Soldier | |
| 1945 | Main Street After Dark | Jenkins |
| The Clock | Soda jerk | |
| Son of Lassie | POW | |
| Dangerous Partners | Drumman Son | |
| Story of G.I. Joe | Private Dondaro | |
| Anchors Aweigh | Sailor | |
| The Thin Man Goes Home | Bill Burns | |
| 1946 | The Postman Always Rings Twice | Ben |
| Bad Bascomb | Curley | |
| Gallant Bess | Mike | |
| 1955 | Timberjack | Nesterenko |
| 1958 | The Walter Winchell File | "David & Goliath" - Costa |
References
- ↑ Mason, Buddy (May 31, 1951). "Behind The Movie Sets". Iowa, Algona. The Algona Upper Des Moines. p. 31. Retrieved March 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Wally Cassell, Boro Vet, Forges Ahead in Films". New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 9, 1945. p. 20. Retrieved March 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Todd, John (December 10, 1945). "In Hollywood". Indiana, Tipton. The Tipton Daily Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Wally Cassell, Gangster in 'White Heat,' Dies at 103, Hollywood Reporter, May 28, 2015
- ↑ "(untitled brief)". Wisconsin, Kingston. The Kingston Spy. January 4, 1945. p. 3. Retrieved March 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "(untitled brief)". Oregon, Milford. Medford Mail Tribune. August 31, 1947. p. 1. Retrieved March 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Marcy McGuire". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ↑ "Girl 13 Chosen for Lead Role in Disney Movie". California, Van Nuys. Valley News. December 4, 1964. p. 25. Retrieved March 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.