Nicholas Colasanto
| Nicholas Colasanto | |
|---|---|
 Taken in the filming location of Cheers, which he appeared in 1982-85. |
|
| Born | January 19, 1924 Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
| Died | February 12, 1985 (aged 61) Studio City, California, United States |
| Occupation | actor |
Nicholas Colasanto (January 19, 1924 - February 12, 1985) was an American actor and television director. He was known primarily for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the sitcom Cheers. He also appeared in feature films, including Fat City, Family Plot, and Raging Bull.[1]
Colasanto attended Bryant University, now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and was a decorated veteran of World War II.[citation needed] After 20 years of alcoholism, Colasanto stopped drinking, and was sober for nine years before his death; "he was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous."[2] Colasanto died of a heart ailment on February 12, 1985 at the age of 61.[1][3] Colasanto and his role, Coach, were replaced by actor Woody Harrelson and his portrayal, Woody Boyd, since the Season Four premiere of Cheers, "Birth, Love, Death, and Rice" (1986).[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Jones, Jack. "N. Colasanto; Played Coach Role in 'Cheers'." Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 1985. Web. 27 Dec. 2011. <http://articles.latimes.com/1985-02-13/news/mn-4540_1_heart-ailment>.
- ^ Holsopple, Barbara. "`Cheers' pays tribute to `Coach'." The Pittsburgh Press [Pittsburgh, PA] 14 Feb 1985: B12. Google News. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. <http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6kkcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FmIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5807%2C6547332>.
- ^ a b Keets, Heather. "Coach's Last Call." Entertainment Weekly 11 Feb. 1994. Web. 27 Dec. 2011. <http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,301061,00.html>
[edit] Further readings
- Bjorklund, Dennis A. (1997). Toasting Cheers: An Episode Guide, 1982–1993. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co. pp. 34-38. ISBN 978-0899509624.
- Evory, Ann. Contemporary Newsmakers: 1985 Cumulation. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1986. Print. ISBN 978-0810322011.
- Snauffer, Douglas (2008). The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3295-0.
- "Nick Colasanto Dead at 61; Played Bartender in 'Cheers'". The New York Times. February 14, 1985. http://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/14/arts/nick-colasanto-dead-at-61-played-bartender-in-cheers.html?scp=2&sq=Nicholas%20Colasanto&st=cse. Retrieved December 27, 2011.[verification needed]
[edit] External links
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