Dick Latessa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick Latessa
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| Born | September 15, 1929 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
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| Died | December 19, 2016 (aged 87) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
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| Resting place | Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Occupation | Actor |
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Notable credit(s)
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Richard Robert Latessa (born September 15, 1929 – died December 19, 2016) was an American actor. He was well-known for his work on stage, in movies, and on TV shows. He won important awards for his acting, especially for his roles in musicals.
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Early Life and Start in Acting
Dick Latessa was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1929. After serving in the Army, he began acting in his hometown. In 1959, he moved to New York City. This move helped him become a professional actor.
A Star on Broadway: Stage Career Highlights
Latessa made his first appearance on Broadway in 1968. This was in a play called The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N. He became very famous for his role as Wilbur Turnblad in the musical Hairspray. For this role, he won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award in 2003. These are two of the biggest awards in theater.
He also acted in many plays by the famous writer Neil Simon. Some of these plays include Chapter Two and Brighton Beach Memoirs. In 2010, he was part of a new version of the musical Promises, Promises. His last Broadway show was The Lyons in 2012.
From Stage to Screen: Film and TV Roles
Besides his theater work, Dick Latessa also appeared in movies and on television. Some of his film roles include Alfie and Stigmata.
He was also in many TV movies. You might have seen him in popular TV series like Mission: Impossible and Law & Order. He played Noel Douglas on the show The Edge of Night. Later, he played Neil Hayes on One Life to Live.
His Final Years
Dick Latessa passed away on December 19, 2016. He was 87 years old. He died in New York City from heart failure.
