Nicholas Colasanto
| Nicholas Colasanto | |
|---|---|
 Colasanto on the set of Cheers |
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| 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.
Contents |
[edit] Career
Colasanto was best known for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the sitcom Cheers. He also appeared in feature films, including Fat City and Family Plot.[1]
Colasanto attended Bryant University, now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and was a decorated veteran of World War II.[2] After 20 years of alcoholism, he became an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and became sober in 1976.[3] An in-demand director, he had been diagnosed with heart disease in the mid-1970s, which was exacerbated by his alcoholism.[4] He began having trouble securing directing jobs by the end of the 1970s due to his declining health. His last major film role was that of mob boss Tommy Como in Raging Bull.[5]
Colasanto was prepared to retire when the role of Coach Ernie Pantusso was offered to him on Cheers. Coach would become Colasanto's best known role.[4]
[edit] Ill health and death
Colasanto's heart disease had worsened by the third season of Cheers. Castmates noticed his weight loss, though the actor chose to kept the severity of his illness a secret.[6] Shortly after the Christmas holiday in 1984, he was admitted to a local hospital due to water on his lungs.[6] Co-star Ted Danson later commented that the veteran actor had difficulty remembering his lines during production of what would be Colasanto's final appearance ("Teacher's Pet").[6]
Though released from the hospital, Colasanto was not cleared to return to work; as such, the show's producers could not let him participate in filming the third season finale episode, "Rescue Me."[7]
Colasanto died of a heart attack at his home on February 12, 1985 at the age of 61.[1][8] Colasanto's character was written out of the show as also having passed away. The fourth season premiere episode, "Birth, Death, Love and Rice" (1985), dealt with Coach's death as well as introducing Colasanto's replacement, Woody Harrelson.[9]
He is buried in Saint Ann's Cemetary in Cranston, Rhode Island.[10]
[edit] References
- General
- 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.
- Specific
- ^ a b Jones, Jack (February 13, 1985). "N. Colasanto; Played Coach Role in Cheers.". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1985-02-13/news/mn-4540_1_heart-ailment. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- ^ Snauffer, p.51
- ^ Holsopple, Barbara (February 14, 1985). "Cheers pays tribute to "Coach".". The Pittsburgh Press. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6kkcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FmIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5807%2C6547332. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ a b Snauffer, p. 52
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c Snauffer, p. 55.
- ^ Snauffer, p. 56.
- ^ Keets, Heather (February 11, 1994). "Coach's Last Call". Entertainment Weekly. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,301061,00.html. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- ^ "Birth, Death, Love, and Rice." 1985. Cheers: Season 4: The Complete Fourth Season. Paramount, 2009. DVD.
- ^ Snauffer, p. 57.
[edit] Further reading
- 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.
[edit] External links
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