Frank Pellegrino (actor) facts for kids

Frank Joseph Pellegrino (born May 19, 1944 – died January 31, 2017) was an American actor and a restaurant owner. He was known for his roles in movies and TV shows, often playing tough characters. He also owned a famous restaurant in New York City called Rao's.

Early Life and School

Frank Pellegrino was born in East Harlem, New York, on May 19, 1944. His father, Frank, was a truck driver, and his mother, Ida, worked as a seamstress. Frank went to Oceanside High School and later studied at Pace College, which is now Pace University.

Career Highlights

Frank Pellegrino often appeared in movies and TV shows that were about law enforcement or crime. Before he became a well-known actor, he was part of a singing group in the early 1960s called the Holidaes.

Some of his most famous acting roles include:

• Playing Johnny Dio in the movie Goodfellas.
• Appearing in several episodes of Dick Wolf's TV series Law & Order.
• Playing FBI Chief Frank Cubitoso on the popular TV show The Sopranos.

Besides acting, Pellegrino was also a successful businessman. He was a co-owner of a very famous Italian restaurant in New York City called Rao's. This restaurant is known for its delicious food and for being very hard to get a reservation at!

Frank also wrote several cookbooks, sharing recipes from his restaurant. These include Rao's Cookbook, Rao's Recipes from the Neighborhood, and Rao's on the Grill. He even produced a music CD called An Evening at Rao's, which featured songs played on the restaurant's jukebox.

Later Life and Passing

Frank Pellegrino passed away on January 31, 2017, in Manhattan, New York. He was 72 years old. He died from lung cancer.

Movies and TV Shows

Frank Pellegrino acted in many films and television series throughout his career. Here are some of them:

Movies Frank Pellegrino Was In

Television Shows Frank Pellegrino Was In