Frank Pellegrino (actor)


Frank Joseph Pellegrino was an American actor and restaurateur.

Early life and education

Born in East Harlem on May 19, 1944, to father Frank, a truck driver, and mother, Ida, a seamstress, Pellegrino graduated from Oceanside High School and Pace College.

Career

Pellegrino has often acted in law and gangster-themed film and television productions. He was a member of an early 1960s singing group called the Holidaes. Notable acting roles include Johnny Dio in Goodfellas, assorted appearances on Dick Wolf's Law & Order, and FBI Chief Frank Cubitoso on HBO's The Sopranos.
Pellegrino was a co-owner of the restaurant Rao's in New York City. Books written by Pellegrino include Rao's Cookbook, Rao's Recipes from the Neighborhood and Rao's on the Grill. He also produced the CD An Evening at Rao's, featuring music from Rao's jukebox.

Death

Pellegrino died from lung cancer on January 31, 2017 in Manhattan. He was 72.

Partial filmography