Today we are honoring the late Alex Rocco, an iconic character actor who left a lasting impression on the film and television industry. Born Alessandro Federico Petricone Jr. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 29th, 1936 to Italian immigrants, Alex Rocco made his debut in 1967 with a minor role in The St Valentine’s Day Massacre. This was followed by a string of successful films such as The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Rabbit Test and Herbie Goes Bananas.
Throughout his career, Alex Rocco appeared in a variety of movies and television shows, including The Pope Must Diet, Get Shorty, That Thing You Do!, The Wedding Planner, Smokin’ Aces and Find Me Guilty. His most memorable roles were in films like Casino (1995) and The Godfather (1972), whee he played Moe Greene. He also had recurring roles on television series such as The Simpsons and Married…with Children.
Alex Rocco won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Al Floss in the hit show The Famous Teddy Z. He also received accolades for his work on Magnum P.I., Quantum Leap and Beverly Hills 90210. His last major role was as Thomas ‘Tommy’ Vercetti in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002).
Sadly, Alex Rocco passed away at the age of 79 on July 18th 2015 due to a long battle with cancer. Even though he is no longer with us today, his legacy lives on through his many performances that will be remembered for years to come. Rest in peace Alex Rocco – you will never be forgotten!
The Real Name of Alex Rocco
Alex Rocco’s real name was Alessandro Federico Petricone, Jr. He was born on February 29, 1936 to Italian immigrants in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He went on to becoe a character actor of note, known for his tough and gruff demeanor as well as his thick eyebrows and volatile expressions.
Source: floodmagazine.com
Notable Film and Television Roles of Alex Rocco
Alex Rocco was an American character actor who appeared in many film and television roles throughout his career. He is best remembered for his portrayal of Moe Greene in The Godfather and for his Emmy Award-winning performance as Al Floss in The Famous Teddy Z. He also appeared in the films The Friends of Eddie Coyle, Rabbit Test, The Stunt Man, Herbie Goes Bananas, The Pope Must Diet, Get Shorty, That Thing You Do!, The Wedding Planner, Smokin’ Aces and Find Me Guilty.
Rocco had numerous guest appearances on several popular television shows such as Magnum P.I., ALF, MacGyver, Miami Vice and Cheers. He also starred in the short-lived comedy series Rags to Riches (1987–1988). His other TV credits include recurring roles on The Facts of Life (1984–1985), Married… with Children (1989–1992) and Boston Legal (2006). In addition to his acting career, Rocco was also an accomplished voice actor who provided the voices for characters in animated shows like DuckTales and Darkwing Duck.
Rocco continued to work util his death at age 79 on July 18th 2015 in Studio City California.
Is Moe Greene Based on a Real Person?
No, Moe Greene is not based on a real person. The character was created by author Mario Puzo for his 1969 noel The Godfather and the 1972 film of the same name. Greene is portrayed as a powerful Las Vegas mobster with connections to the Corleone crime family. He represents the “new breed” of American gangsters who reject traditional Italian-American values in favor of wealth and power. Although his character is fictional, many have noted similarities between Greene and real-life Las Vegas mobsters such as Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky.
Moe Greene’s Representation in The Godfather
Moe Greene, a character in The Godfather, represents Jewish mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. In the movie, Greene is credited with putting Las Vegas on the map and building the Flamingo, now the oldest resort on the Las Vegas Strip. This mirrors Siegel’s real-life actions as he was one of the founders of organized crime in Las Vegas in the 1940s and built the first major casino there. Greene also shares similarities with Siegel in terms of his lifestyle and personality; both were kown for their flashy dress sense and lavish spending habits. In The Godfather, Greene is killed by Michael Corleone, echoing Siegel’s own untimely death in 1947 when he was gunned down by unknown assailants.
Reasons for Replacing Alex
Alex was replaced on ER because the show’s producers had become increasingly frustrated with having to work around Davis’ schedule for Rodney. The show was already in its twelfth season at the time, and the producers had little patience for any delays that would have been caused by Davis’ commitments to the other show. As a result, they decided to recast the role of Alex with Dominic Janes.
Source: imdb.com
The Fate of Rocco in ‘The Godfather’
Rocco Godfather was shot by a police officer while fleeing the scene of the shooting at Miami Airport. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead shortly thereafter. His body was then taken to the mortuary for post-mortem examination. The results of the investigation revealed that Rocco had been killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest. This tragedy marked yet another senseless act of violence in Miami, and it serves as a reminder of the dangers of gun violence in our society.
The Ending of ‘Rocco and His Brothers’
Rocco and His Brothers ends with Ciro and Luca lookng out over the industrial landscape of their hometown as they discuss the inevitability of progress and how it will affect their lives. Ciro reassures Luca that, although many people fear a changing world, he does not and believes that Luca will benefit from the changes. Ciro reveals to Luca that Rocco will not be returning home, but encourages him to stay and embrace the changes that progress brings. As the two brothers part ways, the movie ends on an optimistic note for both their futures.
Number of Alex Rider Movies
Currently, there is only one Alex Rider movie that has been released. Stormbreaker, which released in 2006, stars Alex Pettyfer as Alex Rider. While there have been plans for other movies based on the Alex Rider series of books, none have yet been made.
Voice Actor of Roger Myers on The Simpsons
Alex Rocco (1936-2015) was an American actor who voiced Roger Meyers, Jr. on The Simpsons. He had a long and distinguished career in show business and was best known for his Emmy Award-winning performance as mobster Moe Greene in The Godfather (1972). On The Simpsons, he providd the voice of Roger Meyers, Jr., the head of Itchy & Scratchy Studios, from the show’s first season in 1989 until his death in 2015.
Source: variety.com
Conclusion
Alex Rocco was a renowned actor whose career spanned over five decades. He was best known for his roles in films such as The Godfather, The Stunt Man, Herbie Goes Bananas, Get Shorty, That Thing You Do!, and Smokin’ Aces. He was born Alessandro Federico Petricone Jr. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Italian immigrants in 1936. His tough and gruff features made him an ideal character actor for some of the most iconic films of the century. His career peaked during the 1970s and 1980s were he won an Emmy for his role as Moe Greene in The Godfather. Although he had continued to act throughout his life, his career ended with the death of Alex Rocco on July 18th 2015 at 79 years old. His memory will always remain associated with some of the greatest films ever made.
