Nicholas Colasanto

Nicholas Colasanto
Born	January 19, 1924(1924-01-19) Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Died	February 12, 1985(1985-02-12) (aged 61) Studio City, California, United States
Occupation	actor

Nicholas Colasanto (January 19, 1924 - February 12, 1985) was an American actor and television director, known primarily for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the sitcom Cheers. He also appeared in feature films which include Fat City, Family Plot, and Raging Bull.

As a director, Colasanto worked on over two dozen American TV series between 1966 and 1981, including such hits as Hawaii Five-O, Columbo, Starsky and Hutch, Run for Your Life, and CHiPs.^[1]

Biography

He attended Bryant University, now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and was a decorated veteran of World War II.

Colasanto directed two episodes of Columbo: "Étude in Black," starring John Cassavetes as conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and "Swan Song", starring Johnny Cash as a murdering country and western singer. At one point, during the episode, Cash's character refers to his (unseen) colleague "Nick Solacanto." As an actor, he appeared in a number of popular television series, including Mannix, Kojak, Ironside and Lou Grant.

Colasanto died of a heart ailment on February 12, 1985 at the age of 61, shortly after the filming of episode 22 ("Cheerio, Cheers") of season 3, just as Cheers was achieving its greatest success. His character was not re-cast, instead producers hired Woody Harrelson; he would play the character of Woody Boyd. Colasanto's name appeared in the title credits up to the final episode of season 3 and he was also in the final episode of the season, "Rescue Me" (which was achieved by using an edited scene from a previously filmed episode). After his death, Colasanto's presence on the show was represented by the placing of a picture of Geronimo on the wall of the show's primary set. The photo had previously hung in Colasanto's dressing room and was said to hold a special meaning to the actor. The picture remained on the set for the rest of the series' run.

Eight years after Colasanto's death, the show offered a subtle but important nod to him in its final scene: star Ted Danson walks up to and straightens the Geronimo picture before walking off the set for the final time.

References

1. ^ "Nick Colasanto Dead at 61; Played Bartender in 'Cheers'". The New York Times. February 14, 1985. http://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/14/arts/nick-colasanto-dead-at-61-played-bartender-in-cheers.html?scp=2&sq=Nicholas%20Colasanto&st=cse. Retrieved 2010-08-16. 

External links

• Nicholas Colasanto at the Internet Movie Database
• Nicholas Colasanto at Find a Grave

Persondata
Name	Colasanto, Nicholas
Alternative names
Short description	Actor
Date of birth	1924-01-19
Place of birth	Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Date of death	February 12, 1985(1985-02-12) (aged 61)
Place of death	Studio City, California, United States