Andy Romano Explained

Andy Romano
Birth Date:16 April 1936
Birth Place:United States
Death Place:Sequim, Washington
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1962–2003

Andrew RomaSanta, known professionally as Andy Romano, (April 16, 1936 – September 14, 2022) was an American actor,[1] known for playing "J.D.",[1] an outlaw motorcyclist and right-hand henchman of the character Eric von Zipper (played by Harvey Lembeck) in the 1960s Beach Party movies[1] (which starred Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon).

After Beach Party movies lost money and stopped filming, Romano appeared in minor roles on television episodes and some TV movies through much of the 1970s and 1980. In the late 1980s, he returned to movies in supporting roles, though he continued to guest-star on TV series, including NYPD Blue. Romano retired from acting in the late 1990s and settled in Washington state.

Romano died on September 14, 2022, aged 86.[2] [3] [4]

Selected filmography

YearTitle Role Comments
1961Alfred Hitchcock PresentsGas Station AttendantSeason 6 Episode 30: "You Can't Trust a Man"
1961Alfred Hitchcock PresentsYoung WorkmanSeason 7 Episode 10: "Services Rendered"
1962Alfred Hitchcock PresentsBarry the PatrolmanSeason 7 Episode 15: "The Door Without a Key"
1962Alfred Hitchcock PresentsCopSeason 7 Episode 26: "Ten O'Clock Tiger"
1962Alfred Hitchcock Presents2nd OfficerSeason 7 Episode 34: "The Twelve Hour Caper"
1962The Alfred Hitchcock HourP.A.L. OfficerSeason 1 Episode 9: "The Black Curtain"
1963The Alfred Hitchcock Hour2nd FiremanSeason 1 Episode 19: "To Catch a Butterfly"
1963The Alfred Hitchcock HourAssistantSeason 1 Episode 27: "Death and the Joyful Woman"
1963Beach Party"J.D."First film appearance
1964Bikini Beach "J.D."Supporting role
Pajama Party"J.D."Supporting role
1965Beach Blanket Bingo "J.D."Supporting role
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini "J.D."Supporting role
1966The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini "J.D."Supporting role
1967Batman (TV Series)WorkmanSeason 2 Episode 44: "Penguin's Disastrous End"
1968Bewitched (TV Series)HelperSeason 4 Episode 24: "How Green Was My Grass"
1968Here Come the Brides (TV Series) Jason's ManSeason 1 Episode 1: "Here Come the Brides"
Here Come the Brides (TV Series) PebblesSeason 1 Episode 7: "Lovers and Wanderers"
The F.B.I. (TV Series)Chico JordanSeason 3 Episode 22: "The Messenger"
The F.B.I. (TV Series)Dr. MalotteSeason 4 Episode 3: "The Quarry"
1969Hook, Line and SinkerPortuguese Gas Station AttendantJerry Lewis comedy; uncredited role
Mod SquadWilsonSeason 1 Episode 15: "Flight Five Doesn't Answer"
1970 (TV series)Sergeant VriggsSeason 1 Episode 7: "Point of Honor"
1974-1975Get Christie Love! (TV series)Joe Caruso / Russo10 episodes
1976Quincy, M.E. (TV series)Patrick KendalSeason 1 Episode 2: "Who's Who in Neverland"
1977M*A*S*H (TV series)Sergeant JustissSeason 5 Episode 23: "Post-Op"
1979The One Man JuryChickieFeature film role
Over the EdgeFred WillatFeature film role
Love and BulletsMartyFeature film role
1981Magnum P.I. (TV series)Clarence Burnside Season 1 Episode 13: "All Roads Lead to Floyd"
1982-1987Hill Street Blues (TV series)Deputy Chief Warren Briscoe (one episode as Captain Macpherson)12 episodes (recurring role)
1984The A-Team (TV series)Mr. DubioSeason 3 Episode 12: "Hot Styles"
T.J. Hooker (TV series)Lieutenant StaffordSeason 4 Episode 4: "Hardcore Connection"
1985T.J. Hooker (TV series)CIA Agent Tom Merrick / Lieutenant StaffordSeason 5 Episode 5: "The Assassin"
1987Return to Horror High Mr. KastlemanHorror film
RampageSpencer WhalenFeature film role
P.I. Private Investigations Mr. Watson
Highway to Heaven (TV series)CazSeason 4 Episode 8: "All the Colors of the Night"
1988Highway to Heaven (TV series)CazSeason 4 Episode 17: "We Have Forever, Part 1"
Highway to Heaven (TV series)CazSeason 4 Episode 18: "We Have Forever, Part 2"
Kansas FleenerFeature film role
Derek Boland, The Assassin
1989Major League Pepper LeachSupporting role
Columbo Sergeant Major Lester KeeganSeason 8 Episode 4: "Grand Deceptions"
Paint It BlackMark Cuniff Feature film role
1990Pump Up the VolumeMurdock
1991Pizza Man The Hood
MobstersAntonio LucianoSupporting role
Bugsy Del WebbSupporting role
1992Unlawful EntryCaptain Russell Hayes
The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag Herrick
Under Siege Admiral BatesSupporting role
1993The FugitiveJudge BennettSupporting role
1994Drop Zone U.S. Marshals Deputy Director Tom McCracken
1995ChameleonGiovanni Pazatto
Rough Magic Clayton
Admiral BatesSupporting role
Two BitsDr. Bruna
Steal Big Steal Little Clifford Downey
1996 Eraser Daniel HarperSupporting role
Ghosts of MississippiHardy LottSupporting role
Getting Away with MurderThe PsychiatristSmall role
1999Heaven or Vegas Mr. Hodges

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andy Romano. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208184135/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/61280/Andy-Romano/biography. dead. Movies & TV Dept.. The New York Times. Hal Erickson. Hal Erickson (author). 2015. 2015-12-08.
  2. Web site: SAG-AFTRA Magazine Fall/Winter 2022 . 8 December 2022 . 128 . December 2022.
  3. Web site: Obituary information for Andy Romano .
  4. Web site: Andrew RomaSanta Obituary (1936 - 2022) - Sequim, WA - Peninsula Daily News . .