Celebrated character actor Tony Lo Bianco has sadly died at 87. Fans are already paying tribute to him and his terrific career spanning decades.
In August 2023, movie fans mourned the passing of American filmmaker William Friedkin. He may have been best known for the controversial 1973 horror classic The Exorcist, but two years prior he helmed the masterfully made neo-noir thriller The French Connection, boasting a wide range of sensational performances. Among them was Tony Lo Bianco, unforgettable as the mobster Sal Boca. Devastated to hear of the celebrity‘s passing, the world is now penning tribute to Tony too…
Famed character actor Tony Lo Bianco has died at 87
A representative of Tony’s confirmed the upsetting news that he passed from prostate cancer at 87 on Tuesday, June 11th 2024.
“Tony Lo Bianco passed away last night at his horse farm in Maryland after a battle with prostate cancer,” they shared a statement with Fox News. “His wife, Alyse, was by his side.” He tied the knot with his third wife, Alyse Best Muldoon, in 2015.
Best known for the aforementioned The French Connection starring the likes of Gene Hackman (The Conversation) and Roy Scheider (Jaws), the five-time Oscar-winning movie and Best Picture winner was just one highlight in a career of many.
Born in Brooklyn, Tony’s aspirations to become an actor were met when he began performing as an understudy in Broadway productions as early as 1964. His first film, The Sex Perils Of Paulette, came the following year, shortly before a TV appearance in the show Get Smart in 1966.
Beyond The French Connection, audiences have likely seen Tony flex his versatility as a chameleonic performer in The Honeymoon Killers, The Juror, The Seven-Ups, Kill The Irishman, Nixon, and beyond. Meanwhile, TV shows such as Law & Order and The Twilight Zone were graced by his presence.
Acting late into a long life, Tony’s final movie ultimately ended up being the 2022 comedy-drama Somewhere In Queens starring Ray Romano and Laurie Metcalf.
Tributes honor star as a ‘class act’ legend
More and more tributes are coming in for Tony, but plenty have already and beautifully put into words how tragic a loss this is.
“Sorry to hear of the passing of the great character actor, Tony Lo Bianco,” one wrote. “He leaves behind a great legacy of classic films, TV, and stage work. Grateful for his work with military veteran and first responder charities.”
Actor David Pressman wrote: “RIP Tony Lo Bianco. A wonderful actor. Thanks for trying to help me.”
Meanwhile, actress Deana Martin also tweeted: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend, coach, and teacher Tony Lo Bianco. Our hearts ache with his absence. He was a brilliant actor, director, and producer, leaving a lasting imprint on the world of entertainment… God must have needed another angel.”
Some have highlighted his performances, one saying he was “Terrific in John Sayles’ City Of Hope.”
Memorializing him as “a class act no matter the class of the movie,” he was a rare talent whose spark burned bright no matter the scene.
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