Chick Vennera
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2021) |
Chick Vennera | |
|---|---|
 Vennera at the 2013 DGA Awards | |
| Born | Francis Vincent Vennera March 27, 1947 Herkimer, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 7, 2021 (aged 74) Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1975–2011 |
| Spouses | Joanne Mary Divito
(m. 1971; div. 1982)Suzanne E. Messbauer
(m. 1983) |
| Children | 2 |
Francis Vincent Vennera[1] (March 27, 1947 – July 7, 2021) was an American actor, known for his role as Joe Mondragon in Robert Redford's The Milagro Beanfield War, among other movies. Vennera voiced Pesto the pidgeon on the animated show Animaniacs. He also often served as a voice double for Joe Pesci.
Acting[edit]
|
Vennera served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, first in the Signal Corps and later in the Special Services division.[2][3][4][5] After which, he embarked on a career as an actor and dancer. He was also a musician, playing several instruments. Vennera's first acting role of note was in the Broadway production of Grease, having toured with the musical for a year. He continued working as a performer, and appeared in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday, where he performed a dance routine on top of several cars. His acting career continued throughout the 1980s, and 1990s, appearing in many films and television series. In 1979, Vennera appeared as Vietnam War veteran Mitch Costigian in three episodes of Vega$, alongside Vega$ star Robert Urich. In 1989, he appeared in three episodes of The Golden Girls, two of them as the character Enrique Mas.
Vennera also ventured into doing voice acting in the 1980s, with roles on Hanna-Barbera programs. However, his most notable role was Pesto on Warner Bros. Animation/Amblin Entertainment's hit animated series Animaniacs. Prior to his death, Vennera also taught acting.
Personal life[edit]
Vennera died from cancer at his home in Burbank, California, on July 7, 2021, at the age of 74.[1]
Selected filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Thank God It's Friday[6][7] | Marv Gomez | |
| 1979 | Yanks[6][7] | Sergeant Danny Ruffelo | |
| 1981 | High Risk[6][8] | Tony | |
| 1988 | The Milagro Beanfield War[6][7] | Joe Mondragon | |
| 1991 | The Terror Within II[6][8] | Kyle | |
| 1991 | McBain[6][7] | Roberto Santos | |
| 1997 | Time Under Fire | Spitz | |
| 1999 | Wakko's Wish[9][10] | Pesto | Voice Direct-to-video |
| 1999 | Final Voyage | Dennis | |
| 2000 | Intrepid[6][10] | Ellerson | |
| 2001 | Air Rage | Fishmam | |
| 2005 | Glass Trap[9] | Paolo |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978–1980 | Vega$[6] | Mitch Costigian | 3 episodes |
| 1985 | The Jetsons[6] | Additional voices | |
| 1986–1987 | Foofur | Sam | Voice 16 episodes |
| 1986 | Diff'rent Strokes[6][10] | Spider | |
| 1989 | The Golden Girls[6][10] | Pepe/Enrique | 3 episodes |
| 1993 | Bonkers | Chick | Voices 2 episodes |
| 1993–1998 | Animaniacs[6][10] | Pesto, The Godpigeon, Sparrow, Joe P. | Voices 22 episodes |
| 1996–1997 | The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | Lorenzo, Thug #2, Gustavo Arollo, Walker, Additional Voices | Voice 9 episodes |
| 1998 | JAG[6] | Benny Turpin | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Cow and Chicken | Shark #1, Shark #2, Salesman #1 | Episode: "Free Inside/Journey to the Center of Cow"; Voice |
| 2000 | That's Life[6][10] | Luciano | |
| 2000 | Batman Beyond[6] | Chauffeur | Episode: "Ace in the Hole"; Voice |
| 2002–2004 | Static Shock[10] | Ferrett | Voice 3 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Zork: Grand Inquisitor | Hades Beast, House Alarm | Voices |
| 1998 | Animaniacs: Ten Pin Alley | Pesto | Voices |
| 2009 | Bayonetta | Enzo[11] | Voice |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Evans, Greg (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera Dies: 'Thank God It's Friday', 'The Golden Girls' Actor Was 74". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ^ "VENNERA, Chick 1952– (Francis Vennera, Chick Vennera) PERSONAL". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera, Actor in ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ and ‘The Milagro Beanfield War,’ Dies at 74". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ Garvey, Marianne (July 9, 2021). "Chick Vennera, 'Thank God It's Friday' and 'The Golden Girls' actor, dead at 74". CNN. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ^ Peters, Fletcher (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera, ‘The Golden Girls’ and ‘Milagro Beanfield War’ Actor, Dead at 74". Decider. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Chick Vennera". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Chick Vennera". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Chick Vennera – Filmography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Chick Vennera". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Chick Vennera List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ "Bayonetta Developer Commentary Part 56". platinumgames.com. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
External links[edit]
- 1947 births
- 2021 deaths
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- American male film actors
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- Deaths from cancer in California
- Military personnel from New York (state)
- People from Herkimer, New York
- United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
- United States Army Signal Corps personnel