Born: August 28, 1930 – Died: February 3, 2012
Ben Gazzara, an actor whose career spanned from [the golden era of Hollywood to modern classics, was born Biagio Anthony Gazzara on August 28, 1930, in New York City. Born to Sicilian immigrant parents, Antonio Gazzara and Angela Cusumano Gazzara, Ben grew up in a vibrant, multicultural environment that shaped his dynamic approach to acting. His decision to pursue acting was influenced by his early exposure to the arts and the rich cultural tapestry of New York City.
Early Life and Career
Ben's journey into the world of acting began with a transformative experience watching a play. This led him to abandon his studies in engineering and embrace the craft of acting, earning a scholarship and training under notable coaches. Gazzara's talent shone brightly, earning him a spot at the prestigious Actors Studio. His breakthrough came with his role in the Broadway adaptation of "End as a Man," earning him critical acclaim and a Theatre World Award.
His early career was marked by leading roles in Broadway productions like "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "A Hatful of Rain," which garnered him a Tony nomination. Gazzara's transition to the screen was seamless, with standout roles in "Anatomy of a Murder" as Lt. Frederick Manion and in "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie" as Cosmo Vittelli, showcasing his range and depth as an actor.
Gazzara's work with director John Cassavetes in the 1970s solidified his status as a versatile actor. He continued to work prolifically in both film and television, earning a Primetime Emmy and several nominations. His performances were marked by an ability to bring complex characters to life, often playing roles that delved into the human psyche.
Off-screen, Gazzara's life was as rich and varied as his roles. He was married to Elke Stuckmann, with whom he had one child, and was known for his deep, smooth voice and charismatic screen presence. Gazzara's legacy in Hollywood is not just in the roles he played but also in the authenticity and passion he brought to each performance, making him a true icon of the industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Pupetta: Il coraggio e la passione (TV Mini Series) | Otello Di Bella |
| 2011 | Ristabbànna | Natale |
| 2011 | Chez Gino | Oncle Giovanni |
| 2010 | Christopher Roth | Paul Andersen |
| 2010 | 13 | Schlondorff |
| 2009 | L'onore e il rispetto (TV Mini Series) | Fred |
| 2009 | Holy Money | Vatican's Banker |
| 2008 | Eve (Short) | Joe |
| 2008 | Empire State Building Murders (TV Movie) | Paulie Genovese |
| 2008 | Looking for Palladin | Jack Palladin |
| 2007 | Donne sbagliate (TV Movie) | Franco Maresco |
| 2006 | And Quiet Flows the Don (TV Mini Series) | Gen. Secretov |
| 2006 | The Shore | Mr. Bob Harris |
| 2006 | Paris, je t'aime | Ben (segment "Quartier Latin") |
| 2005 | Faith: Pope John Paul II (TV Mini Series) | Cardinal Agostino Casaroli |
| 2005 | Schubert | Don José |
| 2005 | Bonjour Michel | Michele Terranova |
| 2003 | Dogville | Jack McKay |
| 2003 | L'ospite segreto | Solomos |
| 2002 | Hysterical Blindness (TV Movie) | Nick |
| 2001 | Brian's Song (TV Movie) | Coach Halas |
| 2001 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) | E.A.D.A. |
| 2000 | Nella terra di nessuno | L'avvocato Scalzi |
| 2000 | Piovuto dal cielo (TV Movie) | Cesare Palmieri |
| 2000 | The List | D.A. Bernard Salman |
| 2000 | Undertaker's Paradise | Jim |
| 2000 | Very Mean Men | Gino Minetti |
| 2000 | Un bacio nel buio (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 2000 | Home Sweet Hoboken | Unknown |
| 2000 | Believe | Ellicott Winslowe |
| 2000 | Poor Liza | The Narrator |
| 2000 | Blue Moon | Frank Cavallo |
| 1999 | Paradise Cove | Duke Mantee |
| 1999 | Jack of Hearts | Bartossa |
| 1999 | Shark in a Bottle | The Arranger |
| 1999 | The Thomas Crown Affair | Andrew Wallace |
| 1999 | Summer of Sam | Luigi |
| 1999 | Tre stelle (TV Mini Series) | Col. Marshall |
| 1998 | Il tesoro di Damasco (TV Movie) | Gregorio Kos |
| 1998 | Angelo nero (TV Movie) | Padre Guelfi |
| 1998 | Illuminata | Old Flavio |
| 1998 | Happiness | Lenny Jordan |
| 1998 | Buffalo '66 | Jimmy Brown |
| 1998 | Too Tired to Die | John Sage |
| 1998 | The Big Lebowski | Jackie Treehorn |
| 1998 | Valentine's Day (Video) | Joe Buddha |
| 1997 | The Notorious 7 (TV Movie) | Dom Diablo |
| 1997 | Vicious Circles | March |
| 1997 | The Spanish Prisoner | Klein |
| 1997 | Stag | Frank Grieco |
| 1997 | Shadow Conspiracy | Vice President Saxon |
| 1997 | Farmer & Chase | Farmer |
| 1996 | Strangers (TV Series) | Doctor |
| 1996 | Una donna in fuga (TV Movie) | Don Peppe |
| 1996 | Ladykiller | Lt. Jack 'Jigsaw' Lasky |
| 1995 | Banditi | Amos |
| 1995 | The Dogfighters | Dick Althorp |
| 1995 | Nefertiti, figlia del sole | Amenophis III |
| 1995 | Convict Cowboy (TV Movie) | Warden Ferguson |
| 1994 | Sherwood's Travels | Raphael de Pietro |
| 1994 | Les hirondelles ne meurent pas à Jerusalem | Moshe |
| 1994 | Fatal Vows: The Alexandra O'Hara Story (TV Movie) | Papa |
| 1994 | Parallel Lives (TV Movie) | Charlie Duke |
| 1993 | Els De Davant/Los De Enfrente | Unknown |
| 1993 | Les gens d'en face | John |
| 1993 | Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage (TV Movie) | Joseph Bonanno |
| 1993 | Blindsided (TV Movie) | Ira Gold |
| 1991 | Forever | Marcello Rondi |
| 1991 | Lies Before Kisses (TV Movie) | Grant Sanders |
| 1990 | Beyond the Ocean | John Tana |
| 1990 | People Like Us (TV Movie) | Gus Bailey |
| 1989 | Road House | Brad Wesley |
| 1989 | Secret Obsession | Paul Rivière |
| 1988 | Quicker Than the Eye | Ben Norrell |
| 1988 | Don Bosco | Don Bosco |
| 1987 | Downpayment on Murder (TV Movie) | Harry Cardell |
| 1987 | Police Story: The Freeway Killings (TV Movie) | Capt. Tom Wright |
| 1987 | Control | Mike Zella |
| 1986 | Il camorrista | Il Professore |
| 1985 | A Letter to Three Wives (TV Movie) | Porter Holloway |
| 1985 | An Early Frost (TV Movie) | Nick Pierson |
| 1985 | My Dearest Son | Avv. Antonio Morelli |
| 1985 | Woman of Wonders | Alberto |
| 1984 | Hollywood's Most Sensational Mysteries (TV Movie) | Narrator |
| 1984 | Uno scandalo perbene | The man with no memory |
| 1982 | The Girl from Trieste | Dino Romani |
| 1982 | A Question of Honor (TV Movie) | Detective Joe DeFalco |
| 1981 | Tales of Ordinary Madness | Charles Serking |
| 1981 | They All Laughed | John Russo |
| 1981 | Inchon | Maj. Frank Hallsworth |
| 1979 | Bloodline | Rhys Williams |
| 1979 | Saint Jack | Jack Flowers |
| 1977 | Opening Night | Manny Victor |
| 1977 | The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald (TV Movie) | Anson 'Kip' Roberts |
| 1977 | The Death of Richie (TV Movie) | George Werner |
| 1976 | Voyage of the Damned | Troper | Morris Troper |
| 1976 | High Velocity | Clifford Baumgartner |
| 1976 | The Killing of a Chinese Bookie | Cosmo Vittelli |
| 1975 | Capone | Al Capone |
| 1974 | QB VII (TV Mini Series) | Abe Cady |
| 1973 | Maneater (TV Movie) | Nick Baron |
| 1973 | The Neptune Factor | Cmdr. Adrian Blake |
| 1972 | The Sicilian Connection | Giuseppe 'Joe' Coppola |
| 1972 | Pursuit (TV Movie) | Steven Graves |
| 1972 | The Family Rico (TV Movie) | Eddie Rico |
| 1972 | Fireball Forward (TV Movie) | Maj. Gen. Joe Barrett |
| 1972 | When Michael Calls (TV Movie) | Doremus Connelly |
| 1970 | Husbands | Harry |
| 1969 | The Bridge at Remagen | Sgt. Angelo |
| 1969 | If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium | Card Player |
| 1965–1968 | Run for Your Life (TV Series) | Paul Bryan |
| 1967 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | Sidney |
| 1965 | A Rage to Live | Roger Bannon |
| 1965 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) | Paul Bryan |
| 1964 | Carol for Another Christmas (TV Movie) | Fred |
| 1963–1964 | Arrest and Trial (TV Series) | Det. Sgt. Nick Anderson | Det. Nick Anderson |
| 1962 | Conquered City | Capt. George Stubbs |
| 1962 | Convicts 4 | John Resko |
| 1961 | The Young Doctors | Dr. David Coleman |
| 1961 | Cry Vengeance! (TV Movie) | Davidde |
| 1960 | The Passionate Thief | Lello |
| 1959 | The DuPont Show of the Month (TV Series) | Carlos Perez |
| 1959 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) | Jim Mason |
| 1959 | Anatomy of a Murder | Lt. Frederick Manion |
| 1952–1958 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Moony - Story #3 |
| 1957–1958 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | M. Paul | Stanley Carr |
| 1957 | The Strange One | Jocko De Paris |
| 1954 | Justice (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Richard Elgin Jr. |
| 1951–1954 | Danger (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | Medallion Theatre (TV Series) | Dick |
| 1953 | The Web (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952–1953 | Treasury Men in Action (TV Series) | Bowman |
General:
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