Anthony Cardoza
Anthony Cardoza | |
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Born | May 26, 1930 |
Died | December 7, 2015 (age 85) CA |
Occupation(s) | Actor, film producer |
Anthony "Tony" Cardoza (May 26, 1930 - December 7, 2015)[1] was an American actor and film producer.[2]
Early years
Cardoza was born in Hartford, Connecticut.
Film
Cardoza worked on over a dozen films, but is perhaps best known for his three collaborations with Coleman Francis in the 1960s: The Beast of Yucca Flats, The Skydivers, and Red Zone Cuba.
Military service
Before becoming involved in the film industry, Cardoza was a Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army 3rd infantry division, being a Sgt. Gunner on the 105mm Howitzer in the Korean War. He was awarded two Bronze Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Korean War Medal, Sharp Shooters medal, Presidents Medal, The Sygmond Rhee Presidential Medal, The Asian War Medal, and others. Just prior to his Honorable Discharge, he was assigned to escort duty (escorting deceased soldiers to their loved ones).
Manufacturing
After his discharge from the Army, Cardoza worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut, as a Heliarc welder on J-57 Jet engines, a trade he continued making a living from for a number of years into his show business career. However, in 1963, a doctor advised him to stop welding because of chalazion forming under his eyelids.
Television
Cardoza's work would be remembered in the 1990s television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, as four of his five films would be lampooned – his three collaborations with Coleman Francis, and The Hellcats.
Personal life
Cardoza was married to Joy Wilkerson, "an experienced auto racing driver.[3] They had a daughter, Kim.[4]
Death
Cardoza died December 7, 2015, as a result of complications from a stroke.[1]
Selected filmography
- Final Curtain
- Night of the Ghouls
- The Beast of Yucca Flats
- The Skydivers
- Red Zone Cuba
- The Hellcats
- Bigfoot
- Outlaw Riders
- Smokey And The Hotwire Gang
- Inside Out Upside Down
- Crime Of Crimes
- Raw Force
- Heated Vengeance
- Misfit Patrol
Television
- The Joy Wilkerson TV Talk Variety Show - 46 episodes writer/producer/director (1974-1975)
References
- ^ a b "Anthony Cardoza, 85". Classic Images (489): 46. March 2016.
- ^ "Anthony Cardoza". The New York Times.
- ^ Dunn, Mary E. (July 27, 1973). "Focus on Studio City and Sherman Oaks". California, Van Nuys. The Van Nuys News. p. 48. Retrieved March 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Movie, Auto Racer Roles Reversed". California, Van Nuys. The Van Nuys News. December 12, 1972. p. 8. Retrieved March 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- Anthony Cardoza at IMDb
- B-Monster: Profile: Anthony Cardoza's Tor of the Desert, by Tom Weaver
- Interview with Anthony Cardoza