Frank Pesce Explained

Frank Pesce should not be confused with Frank Pesci.

Frank Pesce
Birth Date:[1]
Birth Place:New York City, USA
Death Place:Burbank, California, USA
Occupation:Actor

Frank Pesce (December 8, 1946 – February 6, 2022) was an American film and television actor.

Early life

Born in New York City, Pesce was the son of two working-class Italian parents.[2]

Career

Pesce started his film career as an extra in The Godfather Part II,[3] and got his first credited role in 1976, in an episode of the television series Police Story.[4] He guest-starred a large number of well-known TV-series, including Knight Rider, Kojak and Matlock, and was a busy character actor in films, notably appearing in Rocky, Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop and Flashdance. He wrote the script of the film 29th Street, based on his own autobiographical experiences.[5] He made his last appearance in 2015, in Creed.[6]

Personal life

A cancer survivor, Pesce died of dementia complications on February 6, 2022, at the age of 75.

Filmography

Film

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1976RockySpectatorUncredited
1977SorcererMarried Man
1978FingersCarmine
1978Paradise AlleySkinny the Hand
1978The One Man JuryFreddie
1979TiltRock Manager (Carrots)
1979Killer FishWarren
1980American GigoloSuspect #4
1980DefianceHerbie
1980ManiacT.V. Reporter
1982Young Doctors in LoveRocco
1982VigilanteBlueboy
1983FlashdanceMawby's Regular
1983EurekaStefano
1983The Big ScoreJ.C.
1984Beverly Hills CopCigarette Buyer
1986Top GunBartender
1986Hollywood HarryPeter the Producer
1986The MessengersMan 1
1987Beverly Hills Cop IICarlotta
1988Maniac CopWatchman
1988Cameron's ClosetEd Wallace
1988Midnight RunCarmine
1989Hit ListQuigley
1989Lock UpJohnson
1989RelentlessMarra
1989The Kill ReflexPond
1990Maniac Cop 2Strip Club M.C.
1991Steel and LacePatroni
199129th StreetVito Pesce
1992The Pamela PrincipleEddie Breeding
1992Tribble
1993South BeachJimmy
1993Mirror Images IIClerk
1994IceMobster
1994The Pamela Principle 2Ralph
1994Trapped in ParadiseCaesar Spinoza
1996Original GangstasDetective Waits
1996Uncle SamBarker
1997Donnie BrascoWiseguy
1997Night VisionMike Mahoney
1999Black and WhiteJoey
2000Down 'n DirtyKingpin
2001Double TakeVito
2002On the EdgeBo
2004The Whole Ten YardsPoliceman #1
2009Middle MenBar Patron
2011Tower HeistRiker's Prison Guard
2013Grudge MatchJournalist #4
2014The Expendables 3Fight Watcher
2014Reach MeFrank's Henchman
2015CreedMickey's Gym Doorman
2022Beyond the Neon Strip Club Owner

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976Police StoryFrankEpisode: "Eamon Kinsella Royce"
1977The Godfather SagaExtraMiniseries
1977, 1978KojakJerry Gerson / Spencer2 episodes
1983Knight RiderDirectorEpisode: "Give Me Liberty... or Give Me Death"
1983The Greatest American HeroBartenderEpisode: "Vanity, Says the Preacher"
1983Emergency RoomDusted ManTelevision film
1984Blue ThunderGuard / GunnerEpisode: "Payload"
1984The MasterOfficer ThomasEpisode: "Rogues"
1984Hardcastle and McCormickValetEpisode: "Ties My Father Sold Me"
1985Miami ViceBennyEpisode: "The Home Invaders"
1985AirwolfRayEpisode: "The Deadly Circle"
1985–1992Who's the Boss?Various roles4 episodes
1986Doing LifeRed HotTelevision film
1986Cagney & LaceyPerpEpisode: "Roll Call"
1988MatlockBailiff2 episodes
1989The Cover Girl and the CopAssistant DirectorTelevision film
1990Bar GirlsJoeUnsold pilot
1991, 1992Jake and the FatmanBarkeep / Jerry2 episodes
1992Reasonable DoubtsTaliaferro
1992In the Shadow of a KillerTorelliTelevision film
1992Ring of the MusketeersJoey Gardner
1993Rehab Patient
1993BlindsidedDetective
1994Another Midnight RunVito
1993North & South: Book 3, Heaven & HellLuisEpisode: "Summer 1865 - Autumn 1865"
1997The Single GuyCabbieEpisode: "Starting Over"
1997The Tony Danza ShowGuyEpisode: "Pilot"
2000FalconeBodyguard #1
2003–2004Karen SiscoSonny5 episodes
2005Jane Doe: Til Death Do Us PartRocco GallettaTelevision film
2007Final ApproachFAA Official Russo
2009Citizen JaneVirgil Jackman
2013Man Life CrisisFrank5 episodes

Notes and References

  1. News: Nordyke . Kimberly . Frank Pesce, Character Actor in ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Films, Dies at 75 . 14 November 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . 16 February 2022.
  2. News: Geitner . Paul . 1 November 1991 . Actor Frank Pesce's life story told in '29 Street' . en . 29 . . 20 February 2022 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: King . Susan . While Lawyers Unravel '29th Street' Deals, Pesce Enjoys Happy Ending . 20 February 2022 . . 9 November 1991.
  4. News: Shanfeld . Ethan . Frank Pesce, 'Beverly Hills Cop' and 'Top Gun' Actor, Dies at 75 . 20 February 2022 . . 16 February 2022.
  5. News: Maslin . Janet . Review/Film; Portrait of Frank and the Other Pesces . 20 February 2022 . . 1 November 1991.
  6. News: Court . Andrew . Frank Pesce, 'Top Gun' and 'Beverly Hills Cop' star, dead at 75 . 20 February 2022 . . 16 February 2022.