Vito Scotti
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Vito Scotti | |
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![]() Scotti in 1953 | |
Born | Vito Giusto Scozzari[1] January 26, 1918 |
Died | June 5, 1996 | (aged 78)
Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1937–1995 |
Spouse(s) |
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Children | 2 |
Vito Giusto Scozzari (January 26, 1918 – June 5, 1996), known professionally as Vito Scotti, was an American character actor who played both dramatic and comedy roles many on Broadway, in films, and later on television, primarily from the late 1930s to the mid 1990s. He was known as a man of a thousand faces for his ability to assume so many divergent roles in more than 200 screen appearances in a career spanning 50 years and for his resourceful portrayals of various ethnic types. Born of Italian heritage, he was seen playing everything from a Mexican bandit, to a Russian doctor, to a Japanese sailor, to an Indian travel agent.
Early life and career[]
Vito Giusto Scozzari was born in 1918 in San Francisco, California. His family spent the early 1920s in Naples, Italy, where Scotti developed his gift for farce, modeled after the Commedia dell'arte, a symbolic style of Italian theatre.[dubious ]
In 1925, after the Scozzari family had returned to the United States, his mother became a diva in New York City theatre circles. Scotti worked the night club circuit as a stand-up magician and mime. He made his debut on Broadway in Pinocchio, where he played a small role.
Film[]
Scotti entered movies and television by the late 1940s. He made his film debut, playing an uncredited role as a Mexican youth in Illegal Entry (1949), with Howard Duff and George Brent.
By 1953, Scotti replaced J. Carrol Naish as Luigi Basco, an Italian immigrant who ran a Chicago antique store, on the television version of the radio show Life with Luigi. Five years later, he portrayed another "ethnic" character, Rama from India (among other characters) in the live-action segment "Gunga Ram" on the Andy Devine children's show, Andy's Gang,[2] where he also played a foil to the trickster Froggy the Gremlin. He was cast as French Duclos in the 1959 episode "Deadly Tintype" of the NBC Western series, The Californians.
In 1963, Scotti was cast as the Italian farmer Vincenzo Perugia in the episode "The Tenth Mona Lisa" of the CBS anthology series, General Electric True, hosted by Jack Webb. In the episode set in the year 1911, Perugia steals the Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum in Paris but is apprehended by a French detective when he attempts to unload the painting on an art dealer.[3]
He also appeared in television series, such as How to Marry a Millionaire (as Jules in the 1958 episode "Loco and the Gambler"), in four episodes of The Rifleman, Rescue 8 (1959), State Trooper (1959), Sugarfoot (1959), The Texan (1959), Johnny Staccato (1960), The Twilight Zone (Mr. Bevis), (1960), The Investigators (1961), Target: The Corruptors! (1962), Lassie, Stoney Burke (1963), The Wide Country (1963), Dr. Kildare (1963), Going My Way (1963), Breaking Point (1963), The Dick Van Dyke Show (1963), and The Addams Family (1964–1965).
Scotti appeared in two episodes of Bonanza, in Gunsmoke (1965–1970), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965 and 1967), The Wild Wild West, Ironside, The Monkees, The Flying Nun,[2] Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes, as one of The Penguin's henchmen in two episodes of Batman, two episodes of The Bionic Woman (1976), and two episodes of The Golden Girls (1988-1989). He played Geppetto in "Geppetto's Workshop" in the 1980s.
He appeared four times on Gilligan's Island in the 1960s: in season one, episode 15 (1964–65) as a Japanese sailor who did not know World War II was over, later in season one, episode 31, as the same sailor in scenes where Ginger, the skipper, and Mister Howell reflect in diaries on their versions of how a rescue transpired in the above-mentioned episode 15, and twice as Dr. Boris Balinkoff, a mad scientist, in seasons two and three. He appeared in 5 episodes (1973-1975) of the original Columbo, as a befuddled maître d’, a snobbish clothing store salesman, a soliciting undertaker, an erudite street bum, and a soybean wholesaler, and in one episode (1989) as Vito when the series was revived.
Scotti was cast as a Mexican bandit in two one-hour episodes of Zorro titled "El Bandido" and "Adios El Cuchillo" alongside Gilbert Roland, and an Italian restaurant owner in episode 35 of season one of Bewitched.
The actor appeared in hundreds of film and television roles, including a prominent role as the "Italian Train Engineer" in Von Ryan's Express who leads the escaped prisoners to Switzerland, as Nazorine in The Godfather (1972), as Vittorio in Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981), and most notably[citation needed] as the scene-stealing cook in How Sweet It Is! (1968). In the pivotal[citation needed] scene, Scotti grabs a flustered Debbie Reynolds and plants a kiss on her midriff.
He portrayed Colonel Enrico Ferrucci in The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968) and later appeared in the Academy Award-winning comedy Cactus Flower (1969), as Señor Arturo Sánchez, who unsuccessfully tries to seduce Ingrid Bergman's character.
He voiced the Italian Cat in the Walt Disney animated film The Aristocats (1970), and appeared with Lindsay Wagner on her television special, Another Side of Me (1977). His last screen performance was as the manager at Vesuvio's in the criminal comedy Get Shorty (1995).
Death[]
Scotti died of lung cancer at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, on June 5, 1996. He was interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, with his first wife Irene, in the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum.
Personal life[]
In addition to his accomplishments as an actor, Scotti was highly regarded as a cook. He loved cooking, especially the recipes of his beloved mother and grandmother. Two generations of Hollywood's top names always left his dinner parties raving about the food and wine.
He was married for many years to Irene A. Scozzari until her death at age 54, on April 15, 1979. Vito then married Beverly and they were married until his death. He was a dedicated fundraiser for the 'Carmen Fund', set up by the Joaquin Miller High School Parents Guild, to assist the school's special-needs students in obtaining medical treatment. The fund was named after the Scottis' daughter, one of the first patients to undergo pioneering spinal implant surgery.[2]
Filmography[]
- Criss Cross (1949) as Track Usher (uncredited)
- Illegal Entry (1949) as Mexican Youth (uncredited)
- East Side, West Side (1949) as Sistina Son (uncredited)
- The Capture (1950) as Truck Driver (uncredited)
- Deported (1950) as Guido's Henchman (uncredited)
- Up Front (1951) as Sergeant Clerk (uncredited)
- Stop That Cab (1951) as Henry (uncredited)
- The Light Touch (1951) as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- The Fabulous Senorita (1952) as Esteban Gonzales
- Bal Tabarin (1952) as Police Secretary (uncredited)
- The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952) as Villager (uncredited)
- Assignment – Paris! (1952) as Italian Reporter (uncredited)
- Shield for Murder (1954) as Joe—Bartender (uncredited)
- Sabaka (1954) as Rama
- Conquest of Space (1955) as Sanella
- The Broken Star (1956) as Pepe (uncredited)
- The Black Orchid (1958) as Paul Gallo (uncredited)
- Party Girl (1958) as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Pay or Die (1960) as Officer Simonetti
- The Facts of Life (1960) as Fishing Boat Driver (uncredited)
- Where the Boys Are (1960) as Maitre D' of The Tropical Isle (uncredited)
- Gold of the Seven Saints (1961) as Gondara's Cook (uncredited)
- Master of the World (1961) as Topage
- The Explosive Generation (1961) as H.S. - Custodian
- Pocketful of Miracles (1961) as Priest (uncredited)
- Saint of Devil's Island (1961) as Louis
- Two Weeks in Another Town (1962) as Assistant Director
- The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) as Rick - Flute Player (uncredited)
- Dime with a Halo (1963) as Doorman
- Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) as Maj. Alfredo Fortuno
- Wild and Wonderful (1964) as Andre
- Honeymoon Hotel (1964) as Waiter (uncredited)
- Rio Conchos (1964) as Mexican Bandit
- The Pleasure Seekers (1964) as Neighborhood Man
- Von Ryan's Express (1965) as Italian Train Engineer
- Made in Paris (1966) as Fedya (uncredited)
- Blindfold (1966) as Michaelangelo Vincenti
- What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966) as Frederico
- Warning Shot (1967) as Designer
- The Caper of the Golden Bulls (1967) as François Morel
- The Perils of Pauline (1967) as Frandisi
- The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968) as Col. Enrico Ferrucci
- How Sweet It Is! (1968) as Cook
- Head (1968) as I. Vitteloni
- Cactus Flower (1969) as Señor Arturo Sánchez
- The Boatniks (1970) as Pepe Galindo
- The Aristocats (1970) as Peppo - Italian Cat (voice)
- The Godfather (1972) as Nazorine
- Napoleon and Samantha (1972) as The Clown
- When the Legends Die (1972) as Meo (Dillon's caretaker)
- The Bull of the West (1972)
- The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) as Games spectator
- How to Seduce a Woman (1974) as Bill
- Herbie Rides Again (1974) as Taxi Driver
- The Wild McCullochs (1975) as Tony, the Bartender
- I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? (1976) as Col. Guido Ameche
- The Big Bus (1976) as Barber
- Paesano: A Voice in the Night (1977) as Al Lozio
- Zero to Sixty (1978) as Benny
- The One Man Jury (1978) as Poker Player #9
- The Nude Bomb (1980) as Italian Delegate
- Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) as Armando Moccia
- Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981) aa Vittorio
- Stewardess School (1986) as Carl Stromboli
- Side Roads (1988)
- Beverly Hills Brats (1989) as Jerry
- Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) as Tailor
- Get Shorty (1995) as Manager at Vesuvio's
Television[]
- Andy's Gang (1955-1957)
- How to Marry a Millionaire (1958) as Jules
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1958) as Shop Owner
- Rescue 8 (1959) as Dal Singh
- Perry Mason (1959) as Joseph D'Amato
- Sugarfoot (1959) as Ramon Acquistapace
- State Trooper (1959) as Reggie Sorbin
- Playhouse 90 (1959) as Cabinet Minister
- Peter Gunn (1959) as Pete's Guest / Herman Klip / Joe
- Wagon Train (1959) as Tony
- Tales of Wells Fargo (1959-1961) as Joe Caboose / Abner Dabler / Mr. Mute
- Johnny Staccato (1960) as Carlos Lascaratti
- Cheyenne (1960 episode "Counterfeit Gun") as Julio
- Zorro (1960) as Chato
- The Real McCoys (1960-1961) as Pablo / Carlos
- Bonanza (1961, 2 episodes) as Pooch / Leon Flores
- The Investigators (1961, episode "A Man of Means")
- Rawhide (1962) as Manuel
- Target: The Corruptors! (1962) as Garcia
- The Twilight Zone (1960-1962) as Rudolpho / Peddler
- Lassie (1962) as Magico the Great
- The Dick Powell Show (1961-1963) as Karam / Dolpho
- Stoney Burke (1963) as Polo
- The Dick Van Dyke Show (1963) as Vito Giotto
- Breaking Point (1963) as Tony
- Going My Way (1963) as Mr. Molletti
- The Wide Country (1963) as Carlos Grijalves
- The Rifleman (1962-1963) as Alphonso / Marcello Ciabini / Soto
- The Joey Bishop Show (1963) as Supermarket Manager / Frank the Barber
- My Favorite Martian (1963-1964) as Waiter / Junkyard Manager
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963-1964) as The Lieutenant / Harry
- The Danny Thomas Show (1964) as The Tailor
- The Donna Reed Show (1964) as Prince Georgivani
- Dr. Kildare (1962-1964) as Signore Fortuno / Jesus Munoz / Grocer
- The Jack Benny Program (1961-1965) as Mexican Captain / Mexican cafeteria employee
- Bewitched (1965) as Mario
- Laredo (1965) as Chicho
- The Virginian (1965) as Gilly
- The Addams Family (1964-1965) as Sam Picasso / Professor Altshuler / Miri Haan
- The Farmer's Daughter (1964-1965) as Llewellyn / Ambassador Cortez
- The Andy Griffith Show (1966) as Murrillos
- The Lucy Show (1962-1966) as Sam Boscovitch / Fencing Instructor
- The Munsters (1965-1966) as Roman Broadcaster / Man on Radio
- The John Forsythe Show (1966) as Gonzales
- Gilligan's Island (1965-1966) as Japanese Sailor / Dr. Boris Balinkoff
- Batman (1966) as Matey Dee
- The Wild Wild West (1966) as Cefalu
- The Monkees (1967) as Dr. Marcovich
- The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (1967) as Dr. Igor Gork
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965-1967) as Beirut / Charles Chikhli
- Daniel Boone (1967) as Priest
- The Flying Nun (1967-1969) as Capt. Gaspar Fomento / Captain Dominic Lopez
- Hogan's Heroes (1969) as Major Bonacelli
- Ironside (1969) as Manuel Rodriguez Sr.
- Get Smart (1965-1970) as Gino Columbus / Dante
- Gunsmoke (1965-1970) as The Indian / Indiana / Savrin / Torreon
- To Rome with Love (TV series) (1969-1971) as Nico
- Barefoot in the Park (1970) as Victor Velasquez
- The Odd Couple (1971) as Pepe
- The Brady Bunch (1971) as Cooking Show Host (voice, uncredited)
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1973) as 2nd Taxi Driver
- McMillan & Wife (1971-1974) as Sykes / Alonzo / Guido Barteloni
- Get Christie Love! (1974) as Emilio
- Adam-12 (1974) as Charley Prender
- The Bionic Woman (1976) as Romero
- Monster Squad (1976) as Albert/Alberta
- Police Woman (1977) as Luigi
- C.P.O. Sharkey (1977) as Vito
- Baretta (1977) as Franco
- Happy Days (1979) as Otto
- Charlie's Angels (1980) as Tyrone
- Hawaii Five-O (1980) as Bill Baskin
- Vega$ (1980-1981) as Casino Manager / Valeria Viceria
- Hart to Hart (1981) as Vito
- Fantasy Island (1979-1982) as Vito Orsotti / Antoine de Vouvray
- CHiPs (1977-1983) as Charles / Emilio
- Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1975-1983) as Games Spectator / Taxi Driver / Pepe Galindo
- Trapper John, M.D. (1984)
- Who's the Boss? (1985) as Uncle Aldo Micelli
- Charles in Charge (1988) as Dino Firenzi
- The Golden Girls (1988-1989) as Dominic Bosco / Vincenzo
- Columbo (1973-1989) as Vito / Salvatore Defonte / Thomas Dolan / Mr. Grindell / Chadwick / Maitre d'
- The Fanelli Boys (1990) as Sicilian #1
- Northern Exposure (1992) as Godfather
- Empty Nest (1994) as Mr. Tartaglia
- Mad About You (1995) as Antonio
References[]
- ^ "Vito Scotti". NNDB.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Oliver, Myrna (June 12, 1996). "Vito Scotti; Veteran Character Actor in Films and on TV". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "GE True". Classic Television Archive. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
External links[]
- 1918 births
- 1996 deaths
- 20th-century American male actors
- Male actors from California
- American male film actors
- American people of Italian descent
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Deaths from cancer in California
- Deaths from lung cancer
- Male actors from San Francisco