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Mario Roccuzzo - Doing service to the role!
Mario Roccuzzo | Working Actor
Mario Roccuzzo was born in Boston, Mass. The son of parents who performed on the Italian stage. His mother and father traveled up and down the New England coast performing with a repertory company. Watching rehearsals as a little boy, he became completely entranced with the idea of becoming an actor.
Roccuzzo's father passed away when he was just ten and a few years later, in 1954 his mother, sister and Mario traveled to California where he soon began studying the acting craft in the evening with the renowned coach Jeff Corey and later with Corey Allen while working during the day at Wallach's Music City.
In 1960, young Mario, snuck into Columbia Studios, and into the office of John Frankenheimer. As he entered the room, he was asked what he was doing there. He replied 'I wanted to audition for you for your next film'. Frankenheimer apparently liked Roccuzzo's Moxie as after a cold reading, he was cast in the Director's next feature film, "The Young Savages".
Later that same year, "The Untouchables" was the No. 1 show on Television and Roccuzzo read and was awarded the title role of Nicky on that series. This was followed by a series of roles on shows like "The F.B.I.", "Stoney Burke", and "Surfside Six" from which he was Type Cast as "The Bad Guy".
It wasn't until the 1970's that producers saw him in a different light, and his roles became more diversified. Roccuzzo say's 'I had the extreme joy of working with such stars as Fred Astaire, William Holden. And many others'. He is proud of the friendship he developed with Bill Holden while doing "The Blue Knight" which lasted for many years.
During the 70's and 80's says Roccuzzo believes 'I believe I acted on just about every Cop Show on TV'. These include "Barretta", "Barnaby Jones", "Barney Miller", "Police Story", "Streets of San Francisco", and many others.
In 2001, Mario provided an engaging performance as Jerry the Bartender in the popular Jim Carey feature, "The Majestic". He also offered solid performances on "E.R.", "Judging Amy", and HBO's Creature Feature; "Earth vs. The Spider". To those he has since added features: "One Last Ride", and "Bottleworld", and on TV: "Yes, Dear", "NYPD Blue", "Luck " to his resume.
Of his 50+ years, as an actor, working in over 250 TV Shows, Roccuzzo admits: 'In my heart of hearts, I love Acting just as much as when I first started out!'.
Sadly, Mario Roccuzzo died Saturday October 9th, 2021 in West Hollywood from failing health at age 81 following a 50+ year career as a Working Actor!
An actor is only as good as his ability to listen. If the actor I am acting opposite and I are not completely tuned into each other, we cannot do service to our roles, ourselves, or the production. We must react honestly to each other, and that begins with good listening skills!
Talent Agent
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Phone: (818) 528-3674
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