Such a big loss for Hollywood.
We lost a true screen gem Thursday night when Danny Aiello passed away at the age of 86.
According to TMZ, who were first to report the passing, the film star was in a medical facility in New Jersey being treated for a sudden illness when he passed due to an infection related to the treatment. His family reportedly got to visit him one last time.
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A family rep confirmed the sad news to the outlet in a statement:
“It is with profound sorrow to report that Danny Aiello, beloved husband, father, grandfather, actor and musician passed away last night after a brief illness. The family asks for privacy at this time. Service arrangements will be announced at a later date.”
Danny had a decades-spanning career as a character actor, bringing his native New Yorker authenticity to roles as a blue collar tough guy of all kinds in films like The Godfather II, Once Upon A Time In America, The Professional, 2 Days In The Valley, Lucky Number Slevin… we could go on.
But there was also a moment in the ’80s and ’90s where Aiello became an honest-to-goodness movie star, taking center stage in movies like Ruby, Moonstruck, and Do The Right Thing, for which he scored an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. You may also recognize him as the titular father in Madonna‘s iconic Papa Don’t Preach video.
Through his many years on the big screen, he made countless A-list friends and fans, who took to Twitter to mourn his passing on Friday…
Fellow screen legend Barbra Streisand wrote:
Danny was a wonderful actor and a lovely person. May he RIP.
Cher, who starred opposite Danny in the acclaimed Moonstruck, the film for which she won her Oscar:
Goodbye Dear #DannyAiello
💔Danny was a Great Actor, But a
Genius Comedic Actor.We Laughed so much. Making #Moonstruck ..It was one of the happiest times in my life,& He Was apart of that Happy time.
Goodbye #JohnnyCammareri💋
Loretta
Do The Right Thing costar Samuel L. Jackson sent Sal one last radio shoutout:
Shoutout to Sal’s Pizzeria for all those years of dope slices from Mr Senor Love Daddy! RIP Danny Aiello!!!
Michael Rapaport wrote:
Damn I’m so sad to hear the great
Danny Aiello has passed away.
So so sad. Such a great actor.
HUGE INSPIRATION for me personally.
Damn #DannyAiello
Billy Baldwin wrote:
RIP #DannyAiello
From the Army to Greyhound labor rep to bouncer at The Improv to Hollywood stardom!!From Johnny in Moonstruck to Sal in Do The Right Thing.
That smile, that laugh, that NY attitude.They don’t make ‘em like Danny anymore.
What a talent… a true one of a kind.
Indeed…
Unfortunately he was just one of many losses Hollywood has seen this year. See the lengthy list (below):
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
[Image via Adriana M. Barraza/Joseph Marzullo/Patricia Schlein/WENN/MGM/YouTube.]
The post ‘Moonstruck’ Star Danny Aiello Dead At 86 — Celebs Mourn On Twitter appeared first on Perez Hilton.