# Joe De Santis

Joseph Vito Marcello De Santis (June 15, 1909 – August 30, 1989) was an American radio, television, movie and theatrical actor and sculptor.

## Biography

Joe De Santis was born Joseph Vito Marcello De Santis to Italian immigrant parents in New York City on June 15, 1909. His father, Pasquale De Santis, was a tailor from San Pietro Apostolo in Catanzaro, Italy; his mother, Maria Paoli, emigrated from Gioviano in the province of Lucca in Tuscany and worked in a paper flower factory. He worked his way through New York University studying sculpture and drama, his first performances being in Italian.
In 1931, De Santis debuted as a broadcaster on an Italian-language radio station.
In the 1930s, when professional acting opportunities became scarce, he worked as an instructor with the Works Progress Administration.
In the era of old-time radio, he was heard on Pepper Young's Family, Mr. District Attorney, The March of Time, Gang Busters, and The Kate Smith Show. One of his most important contributions to the industry was his narration of Norman Corwin's On a Note of Triumph, broadcast nationwide at the conclusion of World War II.
On May 17, 1985, De Santis was inducted into the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters Diamond Circle. During his early years he also did numerous Italian-language broadcasts. He made several contributions to "Remember Radio", a column in one of the trade publications.
With the advent of television, De Santis became known as a skilled character actor who could play convincing dialect characters, mugs, suave heavies and emotional leads. He was active in such early television series as Playhouse 90, Studio One, Sheriff of Cochise, and he appeared regularly on the programs of Red Buttons, Martha Raye and Sid Caesar. In addition to many single performances on other series like Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Joe had a recurring presence in such shows as The Untouchables, 77 Sunset Strip, Perry Mason, Mission: Impossible, and in the westerns such as Sugarfoot, Daniel Boone, Gunsmoke, Sara, and Bonanza. De Santis made three guest appearances on Perry Mason; in two of the episodes he played the murder victim: George Castle in the 1958 episode, "The Case of the Long-Legged Models", and Melvin Slater in the 1959 episode, "The Case of the Borrowed Brunette". He was also cast as Louie Parker in the 1965 episode, "The Case of the Deadly Debt".
De Santis played in numerous films; the high point of his career came in 1962 with A Cold Wind in August. He was also featured in I Want to Live! and The Brotherhood. De Santis was an active member of the Players' Club in New York City, and the Masquers' Club in Los Angeles, California.
De Santis died in 1989 at the age of 80 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In the liner notes to Frank Zappa's first album, Freak Out!, one finds "These People Have Contributed Materially in Many Ways to Make Our Music What it is. Please Do Not Hold it Against them." De Santis' name is listed along with many others. An explanation for this can be found in an interview with Carl Franzoni, a vocalist for whom the first song on that album, "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" was written. Franzoni and Zappa were acquainted with Vito Paulekas, a sculptor and dancer and the L.A. freak scene guru in the early sixties. Apparently certain movie stars, De Santis included, would come to Vito's studio to sculpt, and somehow something about Joe stuck in Zappa's mind.

## Personal life

In 1935, De Santis married Miriam Moss, an actress; they had one son David and later divorced. In 1949, he married Margaret Draper, also an actress, whom he met while both were playing parts in Pepper Young's Family. They had one son, Christopher, and divorced in 1956. Afterwards, De Santis moved to California to pursue his work in television and films. In 1959, he married Wanda Slye who preceded him in death in 1977.

## Sculpture

De Santis studied at the Leonardo da Vinci Art School and was apprenticed to Onorio Ruotolo at the Beaux Arts Institute of Design, 1927–29. From 1936 to 1940 he taught sculpting at the Henry Street Settlement and the YMHA at 92nd St. in New York City.
According to an article in the New York Post of June 2, 1937, he would gather materials from construction sites – wood, limestone, and whatever he could find – for his pieces and display them at Washington Square.
He was commissioned by the editors of Flying Magazine to create a bust of aviator Joan Merriam Smith which was presented to the National Air and Space Museum in 1972.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1949 | Slattery's Hurricane | Mr. Gregory | |
| 1951 | The Man with a Cloak | Joseph Martin | |
| 1952 | Deadline – U.S.A. | Herman Schmidt | |
| 1956 | The Last Hunt | Ed Black | |
| 1956 | Tension at Table Rock | Ed Burrows | |
| 1956 | Full of Life | Father Gondolfo | |
| 1957 | Dino | Mr. Minetta | |
| 1957 | Jeanne Eagels | Frank Satori | |
| 1957 | The Unholy Wife | Gino Verdugo | |
| 1958 | The Case Against Brooklyn | Gus Polumbo | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Buchanan Rides Alone | Esteban Gomez | |
| 1958 | I Want to Live! | Al Matthews | |
| 1959 | Al Capone | Big Jim Colosimo | |
| 1959 | Cry Tough | Juan Antonio Hernando Cortez | |
| 1959 | The Flying Fontaines | Roberto Rias | |
| 1961 | A Cold Wind in August | Papa Pellegrino | |
| 1961 | The George Raft Story | Frankie Donatella | |
| 1966 | Madame X | Carter | |
| 1966 | And Now Miguel | Padre de Chavez | |
| 1966 | An American Dream | Eddie Ganucci | |
| 1966 | Beau Geste | Major Beaujolais | |
| 1966 | The Professionals | Ortega | |
| 1967 | The Venetian Affair | Jan Aarvan | |
| 1968 | Blue | Carlos | |
| 1968 | Chubasco | Benito Tosoni | |
| 1968 | The Brotherhood | Pietro Rizzi | |
| 1973 | Little Cigars | Travers | |
| 1987 | How Rare a Possession | Leaders, Council of Peace | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1949 | Photocrime | | |
| 1949 | The Big Story | John Taine | Episode: "Andrew J. Viglietta of the Long Island Star Journal" |
| 1950 | The Trap | Host and narrator | |
| 1950 | Tom Corbett, Space Cadet | Commander Elblas | 2 episodes |
| 1951 | Casey, Crime Photographer | | Episode: "The Clean-Up" |
| 1952 | Lights Out | | Episode: "Man in the Dark" |
| 1952–1955 | Lux Video Theatre | Sylvio / Anton Maxuranic / Wylie | 3 episodes |
| 1953 | Goodyear Television Playhouse | | 2 episodes |
| 1953 | Four Star Playhouse | | Episode: "The Hard Way" |
| 1953–1956 | The Philco Television Playhouse | Director | 2 episodes |
| 1954 | Inner Sanctum | Rick / Dan / Ben Compos | 3 episodes |
| 1954 | The Motorola Television Hour | Turiddu | Episode: "Love Song" |
| 1955 | Casablanca | | Episode: "Family Dispute" |
| 1955–1957 | Matinee Theatre | | 2 episodes |
| 1955–1960 | The United States Steel Hour | Mr. Albright / Ramirez / Papa | 4 episodes |
| 1955–1968 | Gunsmoke | Hoxy / Sheriff Mark Handlin / Gunter / Mr. Hawtree | 4 episodes |
| 1956 | Crusader | Inspector Pete Ferranti | Episode: "Big Sneak" |
| 1956 | Robert Montgomery Presents | | Episode: "Don't Do Me Any Favors" |
| 1957 | Fireside Theatre | Captain Garcia | Episode: "Harbor Patrol" |
| 1957 | Sheriff of Cochise | Jack Sanford / Nick | 2 episodes |
| 1957 | The O. Henry Playhouse | | Episode: "Only a Horse Would Know" |
| 1957 | The Alcoa Hour | Dr. Hartman | Episode: "Hostages to Fortune" |
| 1957 | Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre | Balam | Episode: "The Deserters" |
| 1957 | Meet McGraw | Arnie Francisco | Episode: "The Fighter" |
| 1957 | General Electric Theater | Joe Breed | Episode: "Thousand Dollar Gun" |
| 1957 | The Walter Winchell File | Frankie Genetti | Episode: "The Fallen Idol" |
| 1957 | Casey Jones | Clyde Buchanan | Episode: "Run to Deadwood" |
| 1957–1958 | Playhouse 90 | Charles Fischetti / Dr. Max Bronstein / Maurice Remy | 3 episodes |
| 1957–1959 | Tales of Wells Fargo | Thomas / Garrett | 2 episodes |
| 1958 | Have Gun – Will Travel | Clint Bryant | Episode: "The Bostonian" |
| 1958 | The Court of Last Resort | Juan Morales | Episode: "The Mary Morales Case" |
| 1958 | Schlitz Playhouse | | Episode: "Lottery for Revenge" |
| 1958 | Tombstone Territory | Commandante Nexor | Episode: "Legacy of Death" |
| 1958 | Wanted Dead or Alive | Luis Portilla | Episode: "Dead End" |
| 1958–1960 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse | Felix Lo Scalzo / Father Izgievdio | 2 episodes |
| 1958–1965 | Perry Mason | Louie Parker / Melvin Slater / George Castle | 3 episodes |
| 1959 | The Third Man | Paolo | Episode: "Listen for the Sound of a Witch" |
| 1959 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Police Lieutenant | Season 4 Episode 30: "A Night with the Boys" |
| 1959 | Doctor Mike | Alex Bartos | Television film |
| 1959 | Adventure Showcase | Mac Ustich | Episode: "Johnny Nighthawk" |
| 1959 | The Adventures of Hiram Holliday | Acosta | Episode: "Pasto Duro" |
| 1959 | Philip Marlowe | Roentgen | Episode: "Child of Virtue" |
| 1959 | The Man from Blackhawk | Fidelio Pirozzi | Episode: "Vendetta for the Lovelorn" |
| 1959–1960 | Rawhide | Ellis Crowley / Jed Bates / Justice Cardin | 3 episodes |
| 1959–1960 | Sugarfoot | Gherardo Fregoso / General Carlos Jose Perez | 2 episodes |
| 1959–1960 | Cheyenne | Manuel Loza / Manuel Lagrone | 2 episodes |
| 1959–1963 | 77 Sunset Strip | Senor Valdez / Mr. Costa / Hidalgo / General Gutierrez / Milton Garvey / Mustafa Caleb / Colonel José Vargas | 8 episodes |
| 1959–1963 | The Untouchables | Louis Latito / Janos 'Jake' Szabo / Victor Salazar / Daniel Oates | 5 episodes |
| 1960 | Law of the Plainsman | Cooper | Episode: "The Rawhiders" |
| 1960 | Tightrope! | Leo Madden | Episode: "Gangster's Daughter" |
| 1960 | Alcoa Theatre | Mac Ustich | Episode: "Forced Landing" |
| 1960 | Sea Hunt | Dr. Ruiz | Episode: "The Cellini Vase" |
| 1960 | Bourbon Street Beat | Major Hernandez | Episode: "Green Hell" |
| 1960 | The Chevy Mystery Show | Paul Otis | Episode: "Femme Fatale" |
| 1960 | Riverboat | Juan Cortilla | Episode: "Chicota Landing" |
| 1960 | Unsolved | Mr. Baroni | Television film |
| 1960 | This Man Dawson | | Episode: "Sweet Charity" |
| 1960–1961 | Surfside 6 | Emilio Mendez / Silva | 2 episodes |
| 1961 | Maverick | Don Manuel Lozaro | Episode: "A State of Siege" |
| 1961 | The Roaring 20's | Nick Zarvis | Episode: "Dance Marathon" |
| 1961 | The Case of the Dangerous Robin | | Episode: "The Strad" |
| 1961 | The Barbara Stanwyck Show | Paul Fielding | Episode: "Size 10" |
| 1961 | Hong Kong | Hernandez | Episode: "The Innocent Exile" |
| 1961 | The Tall Man | Waco | Episode: "Death or Taxes" |
| 1961 | The Detectives | Vince | Episode: "The Legend of Jim Riva" |
| 1961 | Naked City | Matt Valentine | Episode: "The Corpse Ran Down Mulberry Street" |
| 1961–1970 | Bonanza | Padre Xavier / Dr. Isaac Dawson / Samuel Michelson / Morehouse | 4 episodes |
| 1962 | Thriller | Colonel Sangriento | Episode: "The Bride Who Died Twice" |
| 1962 | Route 66 | Rudy Steiner | Episode: "A Feat of Strength" |
| 1962 | Checkmate | Joe Angelo | Episode: "Down the Gardenia Path" |
| 1962 | Kraft Mystery Theatre | Felix La Scalzo | Episode: "Circle of Evil" |
| 1962 | The Eleventh Hour | Mr. Radwin | Episode: "Eat Little Fishie Eat" |
| 1962–1963 | Sam Benedict | Judge Anthony Parrelli / Judge Murvill | 3 episodes |
| 1963 | Hawaiian Eye | Akao | Episode: "Maybe Menehunes" |
| 1963 | The Dick Powell Show | Joe Austin | Episode: "Apples Don't Fall Far" |
| 1963 | Car 54, Where Are You? | Billson | Episode: "The Loves of Sylvia Schnauser" |
| 1963 | The Defenders | The District Attorney | Episode: "Judgment Eve" |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits | Colonel William Campbell | Episode: "The Human Factor" |
| 1963 | Arrest and Trial | Mr. Ware | Episode: "The Quality of Justice" |
| 1963 | Ripcord | Louis Santee | Episode: "Flight to Terror" |
| 1963–1965 | The Virginian | Juan Pablo / General Rodello | 2 episodes |
| 1963–1965 | The Doctors and the Nurses | Mr. Cestano / Robertson | 2 episodes |
| 1964 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Albert Ortega | Episode: "A Wind of Hurricane Force" |
| 1964 | Temple Houston | | Episode: "A Slight Case of Larceny" |
| 1964 | East Side/West Side | Ralph Morelli | Episode: "Don't Grow Old" |
| 1964 | The Great Adventure | General Vallejo | Episode: "The Pathfinder" |
| 1964 | Wagon Train | Samuel Moses | Episode: "The Last Circle Up" |
| 1964 | Mr. Novak | Dr. Wolifski | Episode: "Moonlighting" |
| 1964 | Kraft Suspense Theatre | Mr. Aviles | Episode: "That He Should Weep for Her" |
| 1964 | The Fugitive | Vardez | Episode: "The Cage" |
| 1964–1966 | Dr. Kildare | Bruno Rossi / Enrico Conti | 3 episodes |
| 1965 | Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea | Miklos | Episode: "The Last Battle" |
| 1965 | Daniel Boone | Jigossassee | Episode: "The Prophet" |
| 1965 | Branded | Chief Looking Glass | Episode: "The Test" |
| 1965 | Ben Casey | Charlie Hoffman | Episode: "Minus That Rusty Old Hacksaw" |
| 1965 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Jake Martinez | Season 3 Episode 28: "Night Fever" |
| 1965 | The Lucy Show | Headwaiter | Episode: "Lucy and the Golden Greek" |
| 1965 | The Munsters | Lou | Episode: "Herman Munster, Shutterbug" |
| 1966 | Laredo | Don Miguel | Episode: "The Would-Be Gentleman of Laredo" |
| 1966 | Twelve O'Clock High | 'Elmer' Delvecchio | Episode: "Face of a Shadow" |
| 1966 | The Man Who Never Was | Davos | Episode: "In Memory of Davos" |
| 1967 | The Road West | Octaviano | Episode: "A War for the Gravediggers" |
| 1967 | Run for Your Life | Eduardo Alonzo | Episode: "The Naked Half-Truth" |
| 1967–1970 | Mission: Impossible | Jorge Cabal / Major Marak / Vito Scalisi | 3 episodes |
| 1968 | Lancer | Doc Hildenbrand | Episode: "The Escape" |
| 1968–1971 | The Name of the Game | Don Ignazio / Ricci | 2 episodes |
| 1969 | The Doris Day Show | Frank Gorian | Episode: "The Date" |
| 1969 | Hawaii Five-O | Professor Akbar Savang | Episode: "Leopard on the Rock" |
| 1970 | The Bold Ones: The Lawyers | Don Passetto | Episode: "Trial of a Mafioso" |
| 1970 | The Flying Nun | Antonio Novello | Episode: "The Somnaviatrix" |
| 1970 | The High Chaparral | Colonel Ruiz | Episode: "A Good Sound Profit" |
| 1970 | Dan August | Jeff Zachary | Episode: "The Union Forever" |
| 1971 | Bearcats! | Colonel Delgado | Episode: "Powderkeg" |
| 1971 | Sarge | Vito | Episode: "Ring Out, Ring It" |
| 1972 | Mannix | Sam Maturian | Episode: "Harvest of Death" |
| 1973 | Honor Thy Father | Joe Magliocco | Television film |
| 1973 | The New Dick Van Dyke Show | Carlo | Episode: "Preston al Naturale" |
| 1973 | Toma | | Episode: "Frame-Up" |
| 1974 | It's Good to Be Alive | Roy Campanella's Father | Television film |
| 1975 | Cannon | Benito Conforte | Episode: "Nightmare" |
| 1975 | Katherine | Father Echeverra | Television film |
| 1976 | Sara | Vittori | Episode: "Man from Leadville" |
| 1977 | Contract on Cherry Street | Vincenzo Seruto | Television film |
| 1985 | Suburban Beat | Sylvester Linus | Television film |