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Al Molinaro

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31: 213: 1278: 279:. He eventually sold his business and became interested in southern California real estate speculation. His investments paid off when one of his properties were purchased by a conglomerate which used the land to build a shopping mall which provided a windfall to launch a career in acting. As a result, he was financially independent when he decided to pursue his longtime dream of being an actor. 331:
During this time, he lived in a hotel in midtown New York City. "The first time I went to New York City", said his son Michael, "it was because he had moved there to do a number of commercials. He did not merely play a cop walking the beat on 'The Odd Couple'. He used to walk the streets of New York
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He retired from acting in television and films in the early 1990s, but continued to appear in TV commercials until the early 2000s. He appeared in 42 commercials for On-Cor frozen foods between 1987 and 2003. He also starred in television advertisements for Cortaid hydrocortisone cream and Mr. Big
427:"I can't work in movies with Garry because I'm so square that I won't be in a movie that has four-letter words in it. . . . That puts me pretty much totally out of films these days. . . . You get to a point where you don't want to do just anything for the career. You gotta live with yourself". 267:, although he struggled at high school, staying on an extra year to graduate. In 1940, he left home, taking a bus to seek fame and fortune as an actor in Los Angeles. In 1948, Molinaro married Jacquelin Martin, with whom he had a son, Michael. The couple later divorced. 460:
look as authentic and a genuine show that did not sentimentalize the past. Its success was down to syndication of the series into a franchise that was marketed around the world in many countries. Molinaro was a frequent guest on the
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Molinaro's father was a prominent tavern/restaurant/hotel owner, and a leader of the Kenosha Italian community who financially sponsored hundreds of Italians to immigrate to the United States. Molinaro's brother Joseph was
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In reflecting on his acting career in 2004, Molinaro said, "I spent 20 years here before I got anything going...You've just got to be lucky and in the right place at the right time."
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called Big Al's. The business went defunct. He revealed in 1990 that he declined acting roles in movies offered to him by Garry Marshall. Molinaro said at the time,
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Molinaro moved to California working in odd jobs on the edge of the television industry, finally saving enough money to start his own
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In the industry, they used to consider us like a bubble-gum show. But I think they overlooked one thing. To the public in America
1347: 257: 1134: 1070: 1037: 377:, declined the role and thus gave the young comedian his major opportunity to display his talent and become a major star. 1352: 1060: 403:(1982) as the patriarch of an unattractive clan who is constantly correcting mispronunciations of his surname as "ugly". 1367: 1224: 1337: 1322: 1189: 876: 864: 808: 802: 674: 437: 324: 200: 37: 761: 904: 506: 1282: 1094: 282:
In the 1960s and 1970s, Molinaro studied acting and was offered guest roles and bit parts on television
721: 702: 662: 656: 593: 442: 241: 1157: 894: 365:, in Al's home state of Wisconsin. It ran for eleven seasons, from 1974 to 1984. For one episode, " 253: 1100: 773: 1124: 30: 1317: 1312: 1246: 322:, who offered Molinaro the role of police officer Murray Greshler on the television sitcom 83: 8: 1230: 958: 820: 392: 384:
in 1982, when tapped by Garry Marshall to play the Al Delvecchio role on the short-lived
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was one of the other students. In 1970, Marshall introduced him to her brother, producer
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at a hospital in Glendale, California on October 30, 2015, at the age of 96. He was
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Umberto Francesco Molinaro was born and raised in the Columbus Park neighborhood of
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His somewhat laid-back laconic sideways glance at the humour led him to remark,
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Molinaro as Father Anthony Delvecchio, the twin brother of Al Delvecchio on
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Al Molinaro, actor who played Big Al on 'Happy Days', dead at 96: reports
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Starting in 1990, Molinaro played grandfather Joe Alberghetti on the
362: 350: 306: 294: 288: 188:; June 24, 1919 – October 30, 2015) was an American actor. He played 467:, a nationally syndicated radio show that aired from 1985 to 2008. 233: 229: 1277: 1126:
Happier Days: Paramount Television's Classic Sitcoms, 1974-1984
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City and loved it." The show aired for five years until 1975.
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Sharp, Nancy Weatherly; Sharp, James Roger, eds. (1997).
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In 1981, Molinaro remarried, to Betty Farrell. He left
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American legislative leaders in the Midwest, 1911-1994
995:"Al Molinaro, Diner Owner on 'Happy Days,' Dies at 96" 1021: 1019: 1017: 1015: 270: 1223: 1093: 248:and retired as a municipal judge, and his brother 1012: 470:Molinaro reprised his role as Al Delvecchio from 349:. Molinaro's character was the owner of Arnold's 1304: 524:Molinaro died of complications from an infected 497:was an important show, and I think it still is. 35:Molinaro as police officer Murray Greshler in 1028:"Al Molinaro, actor from Kenosha, dead at 96" 578:It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman! 399:Molinaro starred in a failed TV pilot called 762:Dear Beverly / The Strike / Special Delivery 1218: 1216: 1247:"Frozen-food wizard developed On-Cor line" 1058: 29: 988: 986: 984: 982: 980: 978: 976: 951: 1244: 1213: 1116: 373:be cast when the original guest player, 361:"Yep-yep-yep...". Happy Days was set in 211: 1343:Infectious disease deaths in California 1234:. London. November 1, 2015. p. 29. 1104:. October 1, 1978. p. 7, Section 3 1025: 1305: 973: 1187: 1122: 947: 945: 943: 263:At school Al discovered a talent for 220:, performing Fonzie's baptism in 1977 1245:Sherlock, Barbara (April 10, 2003). 952:Bernstein, Adam (October 30, 2015). 941: 939: 937: 935: 933: 931: 929: 927: 925: 923: 992: 13: 1333:American people of Italian descent 1095:"Legislative leader Molinaro dies" 993:Fox, Margalit (October 30, 2015). 452:Molinaro was proud of his role on 14: 1379: 1363:21st-century American male actors 1358:20th-century American male actors 1270: 1123:Brant, Marley (October 1, 2006). 1026:Potente, Joe (October 30, 2015). 920: 369:", it was Molinaro who suggested 271:From real estate to acting career 1276: 1188:Elber, Lynn (October 31, 2015). 357:, who was known for the sighing 140: 1328:American male television actors 1238: 1158:"A Cast Replays Its Happy Days" 703:Bewitched, Bothered and Baldoni 406: 343:on another sitcom he produced, 198:and Officer Murray Greshler on 160: 136: 1348:Actors from Kenosha, Wisconsin 1150: 1129:. Random House. pp. 43–. 1086: 1052: 535: 1: 1225:"Al Molinaro, actor—Obituary" 913: 411:In 1987, Molinaro and fellow 207: 845:A 30-minute failed TV pilot 809:Dancing Lady/The Final Round 501:In 1992, he appeared in the 7: 803:Bowling/Command Performance 441:. The show was produced by 256:, including one session as 10: 1384: 1353:Male actors from Wisconsin 503:Happy Days Reunion Special 339:hired Molinaro to replace 186:Umberto Francesco Molinaro 51:Umberto Francesco Molinaro 16:American actor (1919–2015) 1368:American male film actors 687: 443:Miller-Boyett Productions 171: 115: 107: 99: 91: 72: 46: 28: 21: 1338:Comedians from Wisconsin 519: 254:Wisconsin State Assembly 1323:American male comedians 1101:Wisconsin State Journal 680:Officer Murray Greshler 252:served 30 years in the 182:Albert Francis Molinaro 95:Albert Francis Molinaro 860:Imprisoned Santa Claus 499: 445:, which also produced 429: 221: 865:Christmas Shoplifting 663:Ice Station Siegfried 491: 425: 215: 1285:at Wikimedia Commons 781:Season 1, episode 8 139: 1948; 84:Glendale, California 1231:The Daily Telegraph 1166:. September 3, 1992 1040:on October 31, 2015 959:The Washington Post 821:Joanie Loves Chachi 624: 542: 393:Joanie Loves Chachi 244:'s longest-serving 999:The New York Times 622: 540: 419:opened a chain of 226:Kenosha, Wisconsin 222: 65:Kenosha, Wisconsin 1281:Media related to 1136:978-0-8230-8933-8 1072:978-0-3133-0214-5 911: 910: 620: 619: 464:Don and Mike Show 456:and defended its 367:My Favorite Orkan 277:collection agency 246:district attorney 179: 178: 108:Years active 1375: 1280: 1264: 1263: 1261: 1259: 1242: 1236: 1235: 1227: 1220: 1211: 1210: 1208: 1206: 1200:Associated Press 1185: 1176: 1175: 1173: 1171: 1154: 1148: 1147: 1145: 1143: 1120: 1114: 1113: 1111: 1109: 1097: 1090: 1084: 1083: 1081: 1079: 1056: 1050: 1049: 1047: 1045: 1036:. Archived from 1023: 1010: 1009: 1007: 1005: 990: 971: 970: 968: 966: 949: 838:The Ugily Family 722:Chef's Night Out 625: 621: 543: 539: 513:paper products. 401:The Ugily Family 314:class, in which 164: 162: 144: 142: 138: 126:Jacquelin Martin 92:Other names 79: 76:October 30, 2015 60: 58: 33: 19: 18: 1383: 1382: 1378: 1377: 1376: 1374: 1373: 1372: 1303: 1302: 1273: 1268: 1267: 1257: 1255: 1252:Chicago Tribune 1243: 1239: 1222: 1221: 1214: 1204: 1202: 1186: 1179: 1169: 1167: 1156: 1155: 1151: 1141: 1139: 1137: 1121: 1117: 1107: 1105: 1092: 1091: 1087: 1077: 1075: 1073: 1057: 1053: 1043: 1041: 1024: 1013: 1003: 1001: 991: 974: 964: 962: 950: 921: 916: 882:Joe Alberghetti 872:1990–1991 816:1982–1983 806: 798:& Max Grant 797: 729:1976–1984 670:1970–1975 660: 538: 522: 409: 273: 265:public speaking 210: 167: 166: 163: 1981) 158: 154: 146: 143: 1980) 134: 130: 127: 87: 81: 77: 68: 62: 56: 54: 53: 52: 42: 24: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1381: 1371: 1370: 1365: 1360: 1355: 1350: 1345: 1340: 1335: 1330: 1325: 1320: 1315: 1301: 1300: 1295: 1286: 1272: 1271:External links 1269: 1266: 1265: 1237: 1212: 1177: 1149: 1135: 1115: 1085: 1071: 1051: 1011: 972: 918: 917: 915: 912: 909: 908: 901: 900:Joe Passarelli 898: 891: 887: 886: 883: 880: 877:The Family Man 873: 869: 868: 861: 858: 855:Punky Brewster 851: 847: 846: 843: 840: 835: 831: 830: 827: 824: 817: 813: 812: 799: 794: 791:Fantasy Island 787: 783: 782: 779: 777: 770: 766: 765: 758: 755: 748: 744: 743: 740: 737: 730: 726: 725: 718: 715: 707: 706: 699: 696: 689: 685: 684: 681: 678: 675:The Odd Couple 671: 667: 666: 653: 650: 643: 639: 638: 635: 632: 629: 618: 617: 615: 612: 607: 603: 602: 600: 597: 590: 586: 585: 583: 580: 575: 571: 570: 568: 566: 561: 557: 556: 553: 550: 547: 537: 534: 521: 518: 438:The Family Man 417:Anson Williams 408: 405: 371:Robin Williams 337:Garry Marshall 325:The Odd Couple 320:Garry Marshall 316:Penny Marshall 272: 269: 242:Kenosha County 209: 206: 201:The Odd Couple 177: 176: 173: 169: 168: 156: 152: 151: 150: 149: 132: 128: 125: 124: 123: 122: 119: 117: 113: 112: 109: 105: 104: 101: 97: 96: 93: 89: 88: 82: 80:(aged 96) 74: 70: 69: 63: 50: 48: 44: 43: 38:The Odd Couple 34: 26: 25: 22: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1380: 1369: 1366: 1364: 1361: 1359: 1356: 1354: 1351: 1349: 1346: 1344: 1341: 1339: 1336: 1334: 1331: 1329: 1326: 1324: 1321: 1319: 1316: 1314: 1311: 1310: 1308: 1299: 1296: 1294: 1290: 1287: 1284: 1279: 1275: 1274: 1254: 1253: 1248: 1241: 1233: 1232: 1226: 1219: 1217: 1201: 1197: 1196: 1191: 1184: 1182: 1165: 1164: 1159: 1153: 1138: 1132: 1128: 1127: 1119: 1103: 1102: 1096: 1089: 1074: 1068: 1064: 1063: 1055: 1039: 1035: 1034: 1029: 1022: 1020: 1018: 1016: 1000: 996: 989: 987: 985: 983: 981: 979: 977: 961: 960: 955: 948: 946: 944: 942: 940: 938: 936: 934: 932: 930: 928: 926: 924: 919: 906: 902: 899: 897: 896: 892: 889: 888: 884: 881: 879: 878: 874: 871: 870: 866: 862: 859: 857: 856: 852: 849: 848: 844: 841: 839: 836: 833: 832: 828: 826:Al Delvecchio 825: 823: 822: 818: 815: 814: 810: 804: 800: 796:Lou Fielding 795: 793: 792: 788: 785: 784: 780: 778: 776: 775: 774:$ weepstake$ 771: 768: 767: 763: 759: 757:Antonio Borga 756: 754: 753: 752:The Love Boat 749: 746: 745: 742:146 episodes 741: 739:Al Delvecchio 738: 736: 735: 731: 728: 727: 723: 719: 716: 714: 713: 709: 708: 704: 700: 697: 695: 694: 690: 686: 682: 679: 677: 676: 672: 669: 668: 664: 658: 654: 651: 649: 648: 644: 641: 640: 636: 633: 630: 627: 626: 616: 613: 611: 608: 605: 604: 601: 598: 596: 595: 594:Freaky Friday 591: 588: 587: 584: 581: 579: 576: 573: 572: 569: 567: 565: 564:Love Me Madly 562: 559: 558: 554: 551: 548: 545: 544: 533: 531: 527: 517: 514: 510: 508: 504: 498: 496: 490: 487: 485: 482:of the song " 481: 477: 473: 468: 466: 465: 459: 458:anachronistic 455: 450: 448: 444: 440: 439: 434: 428: 424: 422: 418: 414: 404: 402: 397: 395: 394: 390: 387: 383: 378: 376: 372: 368: 364: 360: 356: 355:Al Delvecchio 352: 348: 347: 342: 338: 333: 329: 327: 326: 321: 317: 313: 312:improvisation 310:. He took an 309: 308: 303: 302: 297: 296: 291: 290: 285: 280: 278: 268: 266: 261: 259: 255: 251: 247: 243: 237: 235: 231: 227: 219: 214: 205: 203: 202: 197: 196: 191: 190:Al Delvecchio 187: 183: 174: 170: 153:Betty Farrell 148: 147: 121: 120: 118: 114: 110: 106: 102: 98: 94: 90: 85: 75: 71: 66: 61:June 24, 1919 49: 45: 40: 39: 32: 27: 20: 1256:. Retrieved 1250: 1240: 1229: 1203:. Retrieved 1193: 1168:. Retrieved 1161: 1152: 1140:. Retrieved 1125: 1118: 1106:. Retrieved 1099: 1088: 1076:. Retrieved 1061: 1054: 1042:. Retrieved 1038:the original 1033:Kenosha News 1031: 1002:. Retrieved 998: 963:. Retrieved 957: 895:Step by Step 893: 885:22 episodes 875: 853: 837: 829:17 episodes 819: 789: 772: 750: 732: 710: 691: 683:73 episodes 673: 645: 609: 592: 577: 563: 523: 515: 511: 502: 500: 494: 492: 488: 471: 469: 462: 453: 451: 446: 436: 430: 426: 415:cast member 412: 410: 407:Later career 400: 398: 391: 385: 381: 379: 344: 334: 330: 323: 305: 299: 293: 287: 286:, including 281: 274: 262: 238: 223: 217: 199: 193: 185: 181: 180: 78:(2015-10-30) 36: 1318:2015 deaths 1313:1919 births 1289:Al Molinaro 1283:Al Molinaro 1258:October 31, 1170:October 31, 1044:October 31, 1004:October 30, 965:October 30, 623:Television 599:Drapery Man 536:Filmography 526:gallbladder 484:Buddy Holly 480:music video 359:catchphrase 301:Green Acres 23:Al Molinaro 1307:Categories 914:References 786:1979, 1982 734:Happy Days 698:Tour Guide 495:Happy Days 472:Happy Days 454:Happy Days 447:Happy Days 413:Happy Days 386:Happy Days 382:Happy Days 375:John Byner 346:Happy Days 341:Pat Morita 218:Happy Days 208:Early life 195:Happy Days 100:Occupation 57:1919-06-24 1205:March 19, 1108:March 19, 1078:March 19, 842:Sal Ugily 712:That Girl 693:Bewitched 647:Get Smart 614:Sightseer 363:Milwaukee 351:malt shop 335:In 1976, 307:That Girl 295:Get Smart 289:Bewitched 236:, Italy. 111:1940–2003 1142:July 13, 905:The Boss 657:Ironhand 652:Agent 44 610:Gridlock 582:Gangster 530:cremated 478:'s 1994 389:spin-off 234:Calabria 172:Children 41:in 1974. 807:& " 661:& " 435:sitcom 284:sitcoms 258:Speaker 230:Cosenza 165:​ 157:​ 145:​ 133:​ 129:​ 116:Spouses 1163:People 1133:  1069:  637:Notes 555:Notes 476:Weezer 421:diners 250:George 184:(born 86:, U.S. 67:, U.S. 1195:MSNBC 631:Title 549:Title 541:Film 520:Death 159:( 155: 135:( 131: 103:Actor 1293:IMDb 1260:2015 1207:2023 1172:2015 1144:2012 1131:ISBN 1110:2023 1080:2023 1067:ISBN 1046:2015 1006:2015 967:2015 890:1992 850:1985 834:1982 769:1979 747:1977 717:Marv 688:1971 642:1969 634:Role 628:Year 606:1980 589:1976 574:1975 560:1954 552:Role 546:Year 304:and 141:div. 73:Died 47:Born 1291:at 509:. 507:ABC 505:on 474:in 433:CBS 328:. 192:on 1309:: 1249:. 1228:. 1215:^ 1198:. 1192:. 1180:^ 1160:. 1098:. 1030:. 1014:^ 997:. 975:^ 956:. 922:^ 907:" 867:" 811:" 764:" 724:" 705:" 665:" 659:" 532:. 449:. 396:. 353:, 298:, 292:, 260:. 232:, 161:m. 137:m. 1262:. 1209:. 1174:. 1146:. 1112:. 1082:. 1048:. 1008:. 969:. 903:" 863:" 805:" 801:" 760:" 720:" 701:" 655:" 175:1 59:) 55:(

Index


The Odd Couple
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Glendale, California
Al Delvecchio
Happy Days
The Odd Couple

Kenosha, Wisconsin
Cosenza
Calabria
Kenosha County
district attorney
George
Wisconsin State Assembly
Speaker
public speaking
collection agency
sitcoms
Bewitched
Get Smart
Green Acres
That Girl
improvisation
Penny Marshall
Garry Marshall
The Odd Couple
Garry Marshall
Pat Morita
Happy Days

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