Abe Vigoda facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abe Vigoda
Vigoda in 1975
Born	Abraham Charles Vigoda (1921-02-24)February 24, 1921 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	January 26, 2016(2016-01-26) (aged 94) Woodland Park, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting place	Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1947–2014
Spouse(s)	Sonja Gohlke (died 1969) ​ ​ (m. 1939; div. 1963)​ Beatrice Schy ​ ​ (m. 1968; died 1992)​
Children	1

Abraham Charles Vigoda (born February 24, 1921 – died January 26, 2016) was an American actor. He was best known for playing Salvatore Tessio in the famous movie The Godfather (1972). He also played Phil Fish in the TV shows Barney Miller (1975–1977, 1982) and Fish (1977–1978).

Early Life and Acting Start

Abe Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 24, 1921. His parents, Samuel and Lena, were Jewish immigrants from Russia. His father worked as a tailor. Abe had two brothers, Hy and Bill. Bill became a comic book artist.

After finishing school, Vigoda worked as a printer. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army and served in World War II. After the war, he used the G.I. Bill to study acting. He started working in radio in the late 1940s. He first appeared on TV in a show called Studio One.

Acting Career Highlights

Vigoda started acting professionally in 1947. He worked with the American Theatre Wing. In the 1960s, he became well-known for his work in Broadway plays. Some of these plays included Marat/Sade (1967) and The Man in the Glass Booth (1968).

His most famous movie role was Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather (1972). He also appeared briefly in The Godfather Part II. The director, Francis Ford Coppola, said that Vigoda got the part of Tessio through an "open call." This meant actors without agents could try out for the role.

Vigoda as Phil Fish in Fish (1977)

Vigoda became even more famous as Phil Fish on the TV show Barney Miller. His character was known for being tired and world-weary. People liked his character so much that he got his own TV show called Fish. This comedy show ran from February 1977 to May 1978.

Personal Life

Abe Vigoda had one daughter, Carol, with his first wife, Sonja Gohlke. They later divorced. His second marriage was to Beatrice Schy. They were married from 1968 until she passed away in 1992.

Vigoda enjoyed playing handball. He once said in an interview that he was "almost" a champion at the game when he was younger.

Later Years and Passing

Abe Vigoda passed away on January 26, 2016. He was almost 95 years old. He died peacefully in his sleep at his daughter Carol Fuchs' home in Woodland Park, New Jersey. He had gone there to avoid a snowstorm.

His funeral was held on January 31, 2016. Many people attended, including comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Vigoda was buried in the Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games

See also

In Spanish: Abe Vigoda para niños