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Franciosa Tony Biography

American lead actor in stage, television and film, well-known for his lithe movements, a ready grin and piercing blue eyes. He debuted on Broadway at age twenty-five and had a few good movie roles. Then in 1963, he became heavily involved in TV. His TV series include the Name of the Game (1968-1969), Search (1972) and Matt Helm (1975-1976). In the suspense drama film City Hall (1996) he played his first major film role in twenty years, appearing a small but chilling role as a Mafia Don. With a hair-trigger temper, hotheaded and arrogant, he punched out a photographer in 1957 for which he spent ten days in jail. Then in 1970, he was fired from Name of the Game, and, while working on Matt Helm, was involved in a fist-fight with the director. His first marriage was to actress Shelley Winters (1957-1970). His daughter Nina was the product of his third marriage, and his fourth marriage, to German model Rita Thiel (1970) produced two sons. A massive stroke caused the actor’s death on 19 January 2006 at age 77 in Beverly Hills, California. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less