Actor Anthony Franciosa Dies at Age 77

[Penndems]

By BOB THOMAS
The Associated Press
Friday, January 20, 2006; 4:38 PM

LOS ANGELES -- Anthony Franciosa, whose strong portrayals of moody, troubled characters made him a Hollywood star in the 1950s and '60s but whose combative behavior on movie sets hampered his career, has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 77.

Franciosa died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center after suffering a massive stroke, publicist Dick Guttman said. The actor's wife, Rita, and children were present. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a longtime friend, visited the family later, Guttman said.

Franciosa was part of a new wave in the mid-20th century who revolutionized film acting with their introspective, intensely realistic approach to their roles. Most of them were schooled in the method acting of New York's Actors Studio. They included Marlon Brando, James Dean, Rod Steiger, Shelley Winters and Paul Newman.

Franciosa was once married to Winters, who died last weekend.


Link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/20/AR2006012001113.html
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RIP, Tony. One sexy man and a heck of an actor. :cry: