Tom Pedi was an American actor who is best known for The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, The Naked City, and McCloud.
Personal and Family Life
Born on September 14, 1913, in Brooklyn, New York, Tom Pedi had a successful career in acting. He was related to actress and singer Christine Pedi, showcasing a talent for performance that ran in the family. His characters were often described as “pudgy yet tough,” reflecting his unique style in acting.
Career Highlights
Pedi gained immense recognition for his role as Charlie, the washing machine repairman in Maytag commercials during the late 1950s. Additionally, he played Harry the Horse in three Broadway productions of Guys and Dolls, though he lost the film role in 1955. He also reprised his Broadway role of Rocky the Bartender in various film adaptations of The Iceman Cometh.
Death and Legacy
Tom Pedi passed away on December 29, 1996, in Los Angeles, California. His contributions to theatre and television left a lasting impact, particularly with his memorable characters and performances. His work continues to be appreciated by fans of classic American cinema and theatre.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Naked City | 1948-03-04 | Detective Perelli |
| Criss Cross | 1949-02-04 | Vincent |
| The Iceman Cometh | 1973-11-10 | Rocky Pioggi |
| Little Miss Marker | 1980-03-21 | Vittorio |
| Cry Murder | 1950-01-06 | Santorre |
| Up in Central Park | 1948-07-09 | O’Toole |
| The Taking of Pelham One Two Three | 1974-10-02 | Caz Dolowicz |
| The Iceman Cometh | 1960-11-14 | Rocky |
| State of the Union | 1948-04-30 | Barber |
| Laguna Heat | 1987-11-15 | Jimmy Hylkama |
| Black Market Baby | 1979-10-18 | Uncle Sanchi |
| Sorrowful Jones | 1949-07-04 | Once Over Sam |
| St. Ives | 1976-02-24 | Fat Angie Polaterra |
| Stone | 1979-08-26 | Aaron Abromowitz |
| The Cat from Outer Space | 1978-06-09 | Honest Harry |
| Human Feelings | 1978-10-16 | Frank |
| The One Man Jury | 1978-09-29 | Angie |
| Arnie | 1970-09-19 | |
| That Girl | 1966-09-08 | |
| Play of the Week | 1959-10-12 | |
| The Stage Door | 1950-02-07 | Rocca |
| The Odd Couple | 1970-09-24 | Louie Meninni |
| Lotsa Luck | 1973-09-10 | First Moving Man |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | 1962-10-01 | Self |
| The Mary Tyler Moore Show | 1970-09-19 | Al |
| The Bob Hope Show | 1950-04-09 | Self |
| McMillan & Wife | 1971-09-29 | News Vendor |
| CHiPs | 1977-09-15 | Bruno |
| Kojak | 1973-10-24 | Filacchione |