Vincent Schiavelli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vincent Schiavelli
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Schiavelli in 1987
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Vincent Andrew Schiavelli
November 11, 1948 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Died | December 26, 2005 (aged 57) Polizzi Generosa, Sicily, Italy
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| Education | New York University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1971–2005 1993−2005 (writing) |
Vincent Andrew Schiavelli (born November 11, 1948 – died December 26, 2005) was an American actor. He was known for playing unique and often memorable supporting characters in movies, TV shows, and plays. People often described him as a "sad-faced actor" because of his distinctive look. When he was a child, he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a condition that affects the body's connective tissue.
Vincent Schiavelli became famous for his many supporting roles. Some of his most well-known characters include Fredrickson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Mr. Vargas in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), and the spooky Subway Ghost in Ghost (1990). He also played the Organ Grinder in Batman Returns (1992) and Dr. Kaufman in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).
Early life
Vincent Schiavelli was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, John Schiavelli and Katherine Coco, were from Sicily. He went to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn. He loved acting and studied it at New York University. He started performing on stage in the 1960s.
Acting career
Vincent Schiavelli's special look and acting talent helped him get many supporting roles. He often worked with director Milos Forman. Some of their movies together included One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amadeus, and Man on the Moon.
In 1982, he played Mr. Vargas, a biology teacher, in the comedy movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He played this role again in a TV show called Fast Times in 1986. He also played a geometry teacher, Mr. Kerber, in the movie Better Off Dead.
He appeared in the short comedy films Dorf on Golf (1987) and Dorf and the First Games of Mount Olympus (1988) with Tim Conway. In 1990, he was the Subway Ghost in the popular movie Ghost. Two years later, in 1992, he played the "Organ Grinder," one of the Penguin's helpers, in Tim Burton's Batman Returns. He also played a villain in the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). He was even in a music video for ZZ Top's song "Breakaway" in 1994. In 1997, Vanity Fair magazine called him one of America's best character actors.
Vincent Schiavelli also lent his voice to the animated TV show Hey Arnold!. His first TV role was in 1972 in a show called The Corner Bar. He appeared in many other TV shows, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Taxi. He also had a role in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Arsenal of Freedom" and in The X-Files episode "Humbug".
Vincent Schiavelli was an honorary co-chair for the National Marfan Foundation. This organization helps people who have Marfan syndrome, which Schiavelli also had.
He also acted in some video games. He played Harkonnen Mentat Yanich Kobal in Emperor: Battle for Dune and Dr. Hellman in Corpse Killer.
Personal life
Vincent Schiavelli was married two times. His first wife was actress Allyce Beasley. They were married from 1985 to 1988 and had one son, Andrea Schiavelli. Vincent then married harpist Carol Sue Mukhalian on October 23, 1992. They were married until he passed away.
Death
Vincent Schiavelli died from lung cancer on December 26, 2005. He passed away at his home in Polizzi Generosa, a town in Sicily, Italy. This was the town where his grandfather was born. Vincent even wrote a book about Polizzi Generosa in 2002, called Many Beautiful Things: Stories and Recipes from Polizzi Generosa. He was buried in the Polizzi Generosa Cemetery.
Images for kids
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Schiavelli in 1987
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Schiavelli's tombstone in Polizzi Generosa graveyard
See also
In Spanish: Vincent Schiavelli para niños
