Chick Vennera

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Chick Vennera
Chick Vennera.jpg
Vennera at the 2013 DGA Awards
Born
Francis Vincent Vennera

(1947-03-27)March 27, 1947
Herkimer, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 7, 2021(2021-07-07) (aged 74)
Burbank, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1975–2011
Spouse(s)
Joanne Mary Divito
​
​
(m. 1971; div. 1982)​
Suzanne E. Messbauer
​
​
(m. 1983)​
Children2

Francis Vincent "Chick" 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. He also often served as a voice double for Joe Pesci.

Acting[]

Vennera served in the United States 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. His 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 Mitch Costigan in three episodes of Vega$, alongside Vegas star Robert Urich. In 1989, he appeared in three episodes of The Golden Girls as the character Enrique Mas.

Vennera also ventured into 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.

Selected filmography[]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1978 Thank God It's Friday[6][7] Marv Gomez aka the Leatherman
1979 Yanks[6][7] Danny
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
Television
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, Various 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
Video games
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Zork: Grand Inquisitor Hades Beast, House Alarm Voices
1997 Zork: Grand Inquisitor Pesto, Animaniacs: Ten Pin Alley Voices
2009 Bayonetta Enzo[11] Voice

Death[]

Vennera died on July 7, 2021, aged 74, from cancer at his home in Burbank, California.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Evans, Greg (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera Dies: 'Thank God It's Friday', 'The Golden Girls' Actor Was 74". Deadline. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  2. ^ VENNERA, Chick 1952– (Francis Vennera, Chick Vennerra) PERSONAL Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Chick Vennera, Actor in ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ and ‘The Milagro Beanfield War,’ Dies at 74 The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  4. ^ Chick Vennera, 'Thank God It's Friday' and 'The Golden Girls' actor, dead at 74 CNN. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  5. ^ Chick Vennera, ‘The Golden Girls’ and ‘Milagro Beanfield War’ Actor, Dead at 74 Decider. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Chick Vennera". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d "Chick Vennera". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Chick Vennera – Filmography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Chick Vennera". British Film Institute. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Chick Vennera List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  11. ^ "Bayonetta Developer Commentary Part 56". platinumgames.com. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  12. ^ Evans, Greg (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera Dies: 'Thank God It's Friday', 'The Golden Girls' Actor Was 74". Deadline. Retrieved July 8, 2021.

External links[]

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