Rick Aiello
Born(1955-09-21)September 21, 1955
DiedJuly 26, 2021(2021-07-26) (aged 65)
Warwick, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1984–2016
SpouseArlene Urichich[1]
ChildrenRicky Aiello Jr, Tori Aiello 2[1]
Parent
RelativesMichael Kay (cousin)
FamilyDanny Aiello III (brother)

Rick Aiello (September 21, 1955 – July 26, 2021) was an American film and television actor. He played Officer Long in the Spike Lee films Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever.[2][3]

Career

Aiello worked as a nightclub bouncer, bartender and club manager, and later pursued his acting career.[4][5][6]

Aiello guest-starred in television programs including Diagnosis: Murder, L.A. Law, 21 Jump Street, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Early Edition, The Sopranos, Walker, Texas Ranger and 18 Wheels of Justice.[1][7] He also appeared and co-starred in films such as Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever and Clockers as NYCPD patrol officers, One Good Cop as an NYCPD detective, She Hate Me, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, The Don's Analyst, Me and the Kid, Hollywood Confidential, Sex and the City, A Brooklyn State of Mind, 29th Street and Silent Madness.[1][7] Aiello also co-starred in the short-lived American crime drama television series Dellaventura, playing Teddy Naples.[8] He retired in 2016, last appearing in the film Nobody's Perfect.[3]

Personal life

Aiello died of pancreatic cancer at St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, New York, on July 26, 2021,[9] at the age of 65.[10][11][12]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1984 Silent Madness Michael
1989 Do the Right Thing Officer Long
1989 Harlem Nights Man #1
1990 Downtown Mickey Witlin
1990 The Closer Billy Grant
1991 One Good Cop Knudson
1991 Switch Wiseguy at Duke's
1991 Jungle Fever Officer Long
1991 29th Street Jimmy Vitello
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Cliff Howard
1993 Me and the Kid Agent Pasetta
1994 Minotaur Mink
1994 Endangered Sheriff Shirley
1995 Clockers Cop #2
1998 A Brooklyn State of Mind Nicky Vetrino
2000 Other Voices Mink
2001 One Eyed King Terry / Voice over
2004 She Hate Me Rocco Bonasera
2004 Jimmy Whispers Returns to Mulberry Street Bobby Bars
2005 Remedy Tom
2005 Brooklyn Lobster Tommy C.
2007 The Gentleman Cooper Russo
2008 Sex and the City Angry Driver
2012 Destination Fame Mr. Perry
2014 Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Cliff Howard
2014 Reach Me Maitre D'
2016 Nobody's Perfect Dr. Drummond

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder Parker Newton Television film
1989 The Preppie Murder Policeman
1989 21 Jump Street Lenny Episode: "Say It Ain't So, Pete"
1990 K-9000 Waiter Television film
1990 Parker Kane Bartender
1990 Knights of the Kitchen Table Barry
1991 L.A. Law Michael Maceina Episode: "Badfellas"
1992 The Fifth Corner Ovid Giorgano Episode: "Home"
1992 Tales from the Crypt Marty Episode: "This'll Kill Ya"
1992 Angel Street Gianni America Episode: "Death of a Car Salesman"
1993 Renegade Johnny Bendetti Episode: "The Rabbit and the Fox"
1994, 1996 Diagnosis: Murder Eddie Romero / Daniel Strega 2 episodes
1994, 2001 Walker, Texas Ranger Chachi / Anthony 2 episodes
1995 Marker Hit man Episode: "Factor X"
1995 Brothers' Destiny Yale Preacher Television film
1995, 1996 Strange Luck Frankie 2 episodes
1996 NYPD Blue Joe Carlin Episode: "A Tushful of Dollars"
1996 High Incident Al Episode: "52 Car Pick-Up"
1997 Hollywood Confidential Joey Di Rosa Television film
1997 The Don's Analyst Frankie Leoni
1997–1998 Dellaventura Teddy Naples 14 episodes
1998 Clueless Jason 2 episodes
2000 Early Edition Knuckles Episode: "Everybody Goes to Rick's"
2001 18 Wheels of Justice Eddie 'The Horse' Ferenga Episode: "Amore... Omerta"
2001 V.I.P. Dolman Episode: "Amazon Val"
2002 100 Centre Street William Monteleone Episode: "Justice Delayed"
2002 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Boxing Referee Episode: "Fight Night"
2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Craig Fulton Episode: "Choice"
2006, 2008 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Thug Boyfriend / Mac McGregor 2 episodes
2007 The Sopranos Ray-Ray D'Abaldo
2010 Ugly Betty Bouncer #1 Episode: "London Calling"

References

  1. ^ a b c d Shanfeld, Ethan (July 27, 2021). "Rick Aiello, 'Do the Right Thing' Actor and Danny Aiello's Son, Dies at 65". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Tisdale, Jerrica (March 8, 2021). "5 Ways Do The Right Thing Is Still Relevant Today". CinemaBlend. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Braine, Theresa (July 27, 2021). "Actor Rick Aiello of 'Do the Right Thing' and Danny Aiello's son, dead of pancreatic cancer at age 63". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Wilson, John (January 20, 1991). "Aiello & Son". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  5. ^ "Daily Record from Morristown, New Jersey - Page 21". Daily Record. Morristown, New Jersey. March 7, 1991. Retrieved July 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Turner, Ashley (July 28, 2021). "Rick Aiello, 'Do the Right Thing' Actor and Son of Danny Aiello, Dies at 65". TheWrap. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Rick Aiello". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  8. ^ Terrace, Vincent (October 2, 2015). The Television Crime Fighters Factbook: Over 9,800 Details from 301 Programs, 1937-2003. McFarland. p. 39. ISBN 9781476611433 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Special Magazine 2022". SAG-AFTRA. p. 85. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  10. ^ Evans, Greg (July 27, 2021). "Rick Aiello Dies: 'Do The Right Thing' Actor, Son Of Danny Aiello Was 65". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Lash, Jolle (July 27, 2021). "Rick Aiello, actor and son of Danny Aiello, dies at 65". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  12. ^ Barnes, Mike (July 27, 2021). "Rick Aiello, Actor and Son of Danny Aiello, Dies at 65". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2021.

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