Historical records matching Nicholas Colasanto
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Immediate Family
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About Nicholas Colasanto
https://youtu.be/4nI-kZVOZhc
Nicholas Colasanto was born 19 January, 1924, in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended Central High School in Providence, but in 1943, he joined the Navy before graduating. He served in World War II as a coxswain, being honorably discharged in 1945, then returned to Rhode Island to finish his studies. He attended Bryant College, a private institution in Smithfield, Rhode Island. After college, he worked as a bookkeeper.
Colasanto began his entertainment career at the age of 28, getting interested after seeing Henry Fonda act on Broadway. He joined a theatre company in Phoenix, then moved to New York. He acted in off-Broadway productions, such as "A Hatful of Rain" and "Across the Board Tomorrow Morning" - the latter earning him a Tony nomination. He also appeared in television commercials.
He moved to Hollywood in 1965, and became known as a director. He directed several episodes of television shows, including "Starsky and Hutch", "Bonanza", "Columbo", "Hawaii-Five-o", and "S.W.A.T.". Though better known as a director, he also had some notable acting roles. He appeared in the films "Fat City" and "Raging Bull".
Colasanto was cast as the befuddled ex-coach and bartender Ernie Pantusso. His character was explained to be a former minor league manager and major-league coach of Sam Malone's, and an ex-ballplayer that had been beaned several times, explaining his deteriorated mental status. Colasanto accepted the role after Robert Prosky - who later returned to play Rebecca Howe's father in the final season - turned it down. His role on Cheers won him three Emmy nominations, one for each season.
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Nicholas Colasanto's Timeline
| 1924 |
January 19, 1924
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Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
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| 1985 |
February 12, 1985
Age 61
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Studio City, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| ???? |
Saint Ann Cemetery Cranston, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA
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