Vito Scotti

Vito Scotti
Vito Giusto Scozzari (January 26, 1918 – June 5, 1996), also known as Vito Scotti, was an American character actor who played both dramatic and comedy roles on Broadway, in films, and later on television, primarily from the late 1930s to the mid-1990s. He was known as a man of a thousand faces for his ability to assume so many divergent roles in more than 200 screen appearances in a career spanning 50 years and for his resourceful portrayals of various ethnic types. Of Italian heritage, he played everything from a Mexican bandit, to a Russian doctor, to a Japanese sailor, to an Indian travel agent.
Early life and career
Vito Giusto Scozzari was born 26 Jan 1918 in San Francisco, California. He was the son of Giusto and Virginia Ambroselli Scozzari. His family spent the early 1920s in Naples. The family returned to the United States on 4 July 1924 and lived briefly at 802 South 8th Street in Philadelphia before moving to New York City the following year.
In 1925, after the Scozzari family had returned to the United States, his mother became a diva in New York City theater circles and his father an impresario. Scotti worked the night club circuit as a stand-up magician and Mime artist mainly following the Commedia dell'arte style. He made his debut on Broadway in Pinocchio, where he played a small role.
Film and television
After serving in World War II, Scotti entered movies and television in the late 1940s. He made his film debut with a trio of uncredited roles in 1949.
By 1953, Scotti replaced J. Carrol Naish as Luigi Basco, an Italian immigrant who ran a Chicago antique store, on the television version of the radio show Life with Luigi. Five years later, he portrayed another "ethnic" character, Rama from India (among other characters) in the live-action segment "Gunga Ram" on the Andy Devine children's show, Andy's Gang,
where he also played music teacher Pasta Fazooli, a foil to the trickster Froggy the Gremlin. He was cast as French Duclos in the 1959 episode "Deadly Tintype" of the NBC Western series, The Californians.
In 1955, Scotti was reportedly injured while filming with an Elephant named Emma. Emma was reportedly spooked by the faux flora used to dress the set. The elephant shook Scotti and fellow actor Nino Marcel from her back. Scotti suffered a concussion and broken arm. Scotti would work successfully with animals later in his career.
In 1963, Scotti was cast as the Italian farmer Vincenzo Peruggia in the episode "The Tenth Mona Lisa" of the CBS anthology series, General Electric True, hosted by Jack Webb. In the episode set in the year 1911, Peruggia steals the Mona Lisa from the Louvre museum in Paris but is apprehended by a French detective when he attempts to unload the painting on an art dealer.
He also appeared in television series, such as How to Marry a Millionaire (as Jules in the 1958 episode "Loco and the Gambler"), in four episodes of The Rifleman, Rescue 8 (1959), State Trooper (1959), Sugarfoot (1959), The Texan (1959), Johnny Staccato (1960), The Twilight Zone (Mr. Bevis, 1960 and The Gift, 1962), The Investigators (1961), Target: The Corruptors! (1962), Lassie, Stoney Burke (1963), The Wide Country (1963), Dr. Kildare (1963), Going My Way (1963), Breaking Point (1963), The Dick Van Dyke Show (1963), The Addams Family (1964–1965), and The Andy Griffith Show (The Gypsies, 1966).
Scotti appeared in two episodes of Bonanza, in Gunsmoke (1965–1970), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965 and 1967), The Wild Wild West, Ironside, The Monkees, The Flying Nun, Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes, as one of The Penguin's henchmen in two episodes of Batman, two episodes of The Bionic Woman (1976), and two episodes of The Golden Girls (1988-1989). He played Geppetto in "Geppetto's Workshop" in the 1980s.
He appeared four times on Gilligan's Island in the 1960s: in season one, episode 15 (1964–65) as a Japanese sailor who did not know World War II was over, later in season one, episode 31, as the same sailor in scenes where Ginger, the skipper, and Mister Howell reflect in diaries on their versions of how a rescue transpired in the above-mentioned episode 15, and twice as Dr. Boris Balinkoff, a mad scientist, in seasons two and three. He appeared in 5 episodes (1973-1975) of the original Columbo, as a befuddled maître d’, a snobbish clothing store salesman, a soliciting undertaker, an erudite street bum, and a soybean wholesaler, and in one episode (1989) as Vito when the series was revived.
Scotti was cast as a Mexican bandit in two one-hour episodes of Zorro titled "El Bandido" and "Adios El Cuchillo" alongside Gilbert Roland, and an Italian restaurant owner in episode 35 of season one of Bewitched.
The actor appeared in hundreds of film and television roles, including a prominent role as the "Italian Train Engineer" in Von Ryan's Express who leads the escaped prisoners to Switzerland, as Nazorine in The Godfather (1972), as Vittorio in Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981), and most notably as the scene-stealing cook in How Sweet It Is! (1968). In the pivotal scene, Scotti grabs a flustered Debbie Reynolds and plants a kiss on her midriff.
He portrayed Colonel Enrico Ferrucci in The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968) and later appeared in the Academy Award-winning comedy Cactus Flower (1969), as Señor Arturo Sánchez, who unsuccessfully tries to seduce Ingrid Bergman's character.
He voiced the Italian Cat in the Walt Disney animated film The Aristocats (1970), and appeared with Lindsay Wagner on her television special, Another Side of Me (1977). His last screen performance was as the manager at Vesuvio's in the criminal comedy Get Shorty (1995).
Death
Scotti died of lung cancer at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, on June 5, 1996. He was interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, with his first wife Irene, in the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum.
Personal life
In addition to his accomplishments as an actor, Scotti was highly regarded as a cook. He loved cooking, especially the recipes of his beloved mother and grandmother. Two generations of Hollywood's top names always left his dinner parties raving about the food and wine. Scotti also enjoyed painting in his spare time.
Scotti was married to former Peruvian Flamenco dancer Irene A. Scozzari from 1949 until her death at age 54 on April 15, 1979. They had two children together; Carmen Antoinette (born 1953) and Ricardo Antonio (born 1956). After Irene's death, Vito married Beverly Scotti. They were together until his death. Scotti was a dedicated fundraiser for the "Carmen Fund", set up by the Joaquin Miller High School Parents Guild, to assist the school's special-needs students. The fund was named after the Scotti's daughter, one of the first patients to undergo pioneering spinal implant surgery.
Filmography
Criss Cross (1949) as Track Usher (uncredited)
Illegal Entry (1949) as Mexican Youth (uncredited)
East Side, West Side (1949) as Sistina Son (uncredited)
The Capture (1950) as Truck Driver (uncredited)
Deported (1950) as Guido's Henchman (uncredited)
Up Front (1951) as Sergeant Clerk (uncredited)
Stop That Cab (1951) as Henry (uncredited)
The Light Touch (1951) as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
The Fabulous Senorita (1952) as Esteban Gonzales
Bal Tabarin (1952) as Police Secretary (uncredited)
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952) as Villager (uncredited)
Assignment – Paris! (1952) as Italian Reporter (uncredited)
Shield for Murder (1954) as Joe—Bartender (uncredited)
Sabaka (1954) as Rama
Conquest of Space (1955) as Sanella
The Broken Star (1956) as Pepe (uncredited)
The Black Orchid (1958) as Paul Gallo (uncredited)
Party Girl (1958) as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Pay or Die (1960) as Officer Simonetti
The Facts of Life (1960) as Fishing Boat Driver (uncredited)
Where the Boys Are (1960) as Maitre D' of The Tropical Isle (uncredited)
Gold of the Seven Saints (1961) as Gondara's Cook (uncredited)
Master of the World (1961) as Topage
The Explosive Generation (1961) as H.S. - Custodian
Pocketful of Miracles (1961) as Priest (uncredited)
Saint of Devil's Island (1961) as Louis
Two Weeks in Another Town (1962) as Assistant Director
The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) as Rick - Flute Player (uncredited)
Dime with a Halo (1963) as Doorman
Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) as Maj. Alfredo Fortuno
Wild and Wonderful (1964) as Andre
Honeymoon Hotel (1964) as Waiter (uncredited)
Rio Conchos (1964) as Mexican Bandit
The Pleasure Seekers (1964) as Neighborhood Man
Von Ryan's Express (1965) as Italian Train Engineer
Made in Paris (1966) as Fedya (uncredited)
Blindfold (1966) as Michaelangelo Vincenti
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966) as Frederico
Warning Shot (1967) as Designer
The Caper of the Golden Bulls (1967) as François Morel
The Perils of Pauline (1967) as Frandisi
The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968) as Col. Enrico Ferrucci
How Sweet It Is! (1968) as Cook
Head (1968) as I. Vitteloni
Cactus Flower (1969) as Señor Arturo Sánchez
The Boatniks (1970) as Pepe Galindo
The Aristocats (1970) as Peppo - Italian Cat (voice)
The Godfather (1972) as Nazorine
Napoleon and Samantha (1972) as The Clown
When the Legends Die (1972) as Meo (Dillon's caretaker)
The Bull of the West (1972)
The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) as Games spectator
How to Seduce a Woman (1974) as Bill
Herbie Rides Again (1974) as Taxi Driver
The Wild McCullochs (1975) as Tony, the Bartender
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? (1976) as Col. Guido Ameche
The Big Bus (1976) as Barber
Paesano: A Voice in the Night (1977) as Al Lozio
Zero to Sixty (1978) as Benny
The One Man Jury (1978) as Poker Player #9
The Nude Bomb (1980) as Italian Delegate
Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) as Armando Moccia
Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981) aa Vittorio
Stewardess School (1986) as Carl Stromboli
Side Roads (1988)
Beverly Hills Brats (1989) as Jerry
Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) as Tailor
Get Shorty (1995) as Manager at Vesuvio's
Television
Andy's Gang (1955-1957)
How to Marry a Millionaire (1958) as Jules
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1958) as Shop Owner
Rescue 8 (1959) as Dal Singh
Perry Mason (1959) as Joseph D'Amato
Sugarfoot (1959) as Ramon Acquistapace
State Trooper (1959) as Reggie Sorbin
Playhouse 90 (1959) as Cabinet Minister
Peter Gunn (1959) as Pete's Guest / Herman Klip / Joe
Wagon Train (1959) as Tony
Tales of Wells Fargo (1959-1961) as Joe Caboose / Abner Dabler / Mr. Mute
Johnny Staccato (1960) as Carlos Lascaratti
Cheyenne (1960 episode "Counterfeit Gun") as Julio
Zorro (1960) as Chato
The Real McCoys (1960-1961) as Pablo / Carlos
Bonanza (1961, 2 episodes) as Pooch / Leon Flores
The Investigators (1961, episode "A Man of Means")
Rawhide (1962) as Manuel
Target: The Corruptors! (1962) as Garcia
The Twilight Zone (1960-1962) as Rudolpho / Peddler
Lassie (1962) as Magico the Great
The Dick Powell Show (1961-1963) as Karam / Dolpho
Stoney Burke (1963) as Polo
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1963) as Vito Giotto
Breaking Point (1963) as Tony
Going My Way (1963) as Mr. Molletti
The Wide Country (1963) as Carlos Grijalves
The Rifleman (1962-1963) as Alphonso / Marcello Ciabini / Soto
The Joey Bishop Show (1963) as Supermarket Manager / Frank the Barber
My Favorite Martian (1963-1964) as Waiter / Junkyard Manager
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963-1964) as The Lieutenant / Harry
The Danny Thomas Show (1964) as The Tailor
The Donna Reed Show (1964) as Prince Georgivani
Dr. Kildare (1962-1964) as Signore Fortuno / Jesus Munoz / Grocer
The Jack Benny Program (1961-1965) as Mexican Captain / Mexican cafeteria employee
Bewitched (1965) as Mario
Laredo (1965) as Chicho
The Virginian (1965) as Gilly
The Addams Family (1964-1965) as Sam Picasso / Professor Altshuler / Miri Haan
The Farmer's Daughter (1964-1965) as Llewellyn / Ambassador Cortez
The Andy Griffith Show (1966) as Murrillos (Episode, "The Gypsies")
The Lucy Show (1962-1966) as Sam Boscovitch / Fencing Instructor
The Munsters (1965-1966) as Roman Broadcaster / Man on Radio
The John Forsythe Show (1966) as Gonzales
Gilligan's Island (1965-1966) as Japanese Sailor / Dr. Boris Balinkoff
Batman (1966) as Matey Dee
The Wild Wild West (1966) as Cefalu
Rango (1967) as El Carnicero (Episode: "Viva Rango")
The Monkees (1967) as Dr. Marcovich in S1:E17, "The Case of the Missing Monkee"
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (1967) as Dr. Igor Gork
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965-1967) as Beirut / Charles Chikhli
Daniel Boone (1967) as Priest
The Flying Nun (1967-1969) as Capt. Gaspar Fomento / Captain Dominic Lopez
Hogan's Heroes (1969) as Major Bonacelli
Ironside (1969) as Manuel Rodriguez Sr.
Get Smart (1965-1970) as Gino Columbus / Dante
Gunsmoke (1965-1970) as The Indian / Indiana / Savrin / Torreon
To Rome with Love (TV series) (1969-1971) as Nico
Barefoot in the Park (1970) as Victor Velasquez
The Odd Couple (1971) as Pepe
The Brady Bunch (1971) as Cooking Show Host (voice, uncredited)
The Six Million Dollar Man (1973) as 2nd Taxi Driver
McMillan & Wife (1971-1974) as Sykes / Alonzo / Guido Barteloni
Get Christie Love! (1974) as Emilio
Adam-12 (1974) as Charley Prender
Shaft (1974) Murder One / The Killing
The Bionic Woman (1976) as Romero
Monster Squad (1976) as Albert/Alberta
Police Woman (1977) as Luigi
C.P.O. Sharkey (1977) as Vito
Baretta (1977) as Franco
Happy Days (1979) as Otto
Charlie's Angels (1980) as Tyrone
Hawaii Five-O (1980) as Bill Baskin
Vega$ (1980-1981) as Casino Manager / Valeria Viceria
Hart to Hart (1981) as Vito
Madame's Place (1982) as Inspector Putzeau, Episode: "The Stolen Portrait"
Fantasy Island (1979-1982) as Vito Orsotti / Antoine de Vouvray
CHiPs (1977-1983) as Charles / Emilio
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1975-1983) as Games Spectator / Taxi Driver / Pepe Galindo
Trapper John, M.D. (1984)
Who's the Boss? (1985 & 1988) as Uncle Aldo Micelli
Charles in Charge (1988) as Dino Firenzi
The Golden Girls (1988-1989) as Dominic Bosco / Vincenzo
Columbo (1973-1989) as Vito / Salvatore Defonte / Thomas Dolan / Mr. Grindell / Chadwick / Maitre d'
The Fanelli Boys (1990) as Sicilian #1
Northern Exposure (1992) as Godfather
Empty Nest (1994) as Mr. Tartaglia
Mad About You (1995) as Antonio
References
External links
1918 births
1996 deaths
20th-century American male actors
American male film actors
American people of Italian descent
American male stage actors
American male television actors
Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Deaths from lung cancer in California
Male actors from San Francisco