Actor Danny Aiello has died at age 86. Aiello died on Thursday night, Dec. 11, following a brief illness, his family told TMZ.
Aiello was being treated for a sudden illness at a medical facility in New Jersey when he contracted an infection that did not respond to treatment.
According to TMZ, his family had come to visit him earlier in the day, and he passed away unexpectedly after they’d left that evening.
Aiello is best known for his supporting roles in the films Do The Right Thing, Bang the Drum Slowly and The Godfather Part II.
He was memorable as Madonna’s disapproving father in her music video for “Papa Don’t Preach”.
Aiello, the fifth of six children, was born on West 68th Street in Manhattan, NY. Aiello got his start in the 1973 baseball drama Bang the Drum Slowly, with Robert De Niro. He also had a walk-on role as a small-time hitman in The Godfather Part II (1974).
Following his breakthrough role, the screen star capitalized on his success in the ’80s, landing roles in movies such as Fort Apache the Bronx with Paul Newman, Once Upon a Time in America, The Purple Rose of Cairo and Moonstruck, with Cher.
Most notably, he scored a Best Supporting Oscar nomination for his role as pizza store owner Sal in Spike Lee’s, Do the Right Thing.
His son, stuntman and actor Danny Aiello III, died from pancreatic cancer in 2010. Sandy Cohen, Aiello’s wife of 64 years, died in 2019.
Aiello is survived by three children, Rick, Jaime, and Stacey Aiello.
Friends and fans paid tribute to Aiello on Twitter.com on Friday.
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— Cher (@cher) December 13, 2019
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 pic.twitter.com/GEHuX4NNzj— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) December 13, 2019
Heartbreaking news about #dannyaiello He was a such joy to work with in " Lieberman In Love." An incredible talent and a very kind man. RIP dearest Danny.
— Christine Lahti (@ChristineALahti) December 13, 2019
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 pic.twitter.com/GEHuX4NNzj— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) December 13, 2019
So many great roles for the late Danny Aiello, including one of my faves, The Professional pic.twitter.com/3WnSsCrPe8
— Eric Kay (@ekaycbs) December 13, 2019
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. pic.twitter.com/ssaw9QvAVt— Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) December 13, 2019
Danny Aiello and Paul Newman's characters had a fistfight in the film Fort Apache, The Bronx. As they rehearsed the rough battle, Danny heard his wife yell "Oh God, don't hit him in the face".
Said Danny "She was talking to me". R.I.P.— Keith Humphreys (@KeithNHumphreys) December 13, 2019
Family 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.” RIP pic.twitter.com/IejzPeAQzJ
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 13, 2019
R.I.P. Danny Aiello.
Farewell to a beautiful and loving man.https://t.co/1ww38IGB2V
— Adam Baldwin (@AdamBaldwin) December 13, 2019
All my life people asked – “are you related to Danny Aiello?” Finally met him in 1997. He wraps me in a bear hug and says “Tony! People keep asking if we’re related!”
This pic from 2012. Giving thanks for the legacy of a great actor and the life of a good man. #DannyAiello pic.twitter.com/n0fDZV1Uq2
— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) December 13, 2019
