Anthony Franciosa (born Anthony George Papaleo, Jr., October 25, 1928 in New York City, New York – died January 19, 2006 in Los Angeles, California) was an American actor, usually billed as Tony Franciosa during the height of his career.
Born in to Italian-American parents, and raised by his mother and aunt, Franciosa was his mother's maiden name.
In 1948 he joined the Cherry Lane Theatre Group off Broadway which also included actress Beatrice Ar...
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Anthony Franciosa (born Anthony George Papaleo, Jr., October 25, 1928 in New York City, New York – died January 19, 2006 in Los Angeles, California) was an American actor, usually billed as Tony Franciosa during the height of his career.
Born in to Italian-American parents, and raised by his mother and aunt, Franciosa was his mother's maiden name.
In 1948 he joined the Cherry Lane Theatre Group off Broadway which also included actress Beatrice Arthur. Before becoming successful at acting, he worked a variety of jobs which included being a waiter, dishwasher, day laborer, and messenger boy. Several years later he garnered rave reviews and a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway performance of the play A Hatful of Rain.
When he reprised his role in the film version in 1957, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He followed that with roles in several major films, including Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd with Andy Griffith and Patricia Neal, Career with Dean Martin and...
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