Anthony Cardoza
Anthony "Tony" Cardoza (May 26, 1930 – December 7, 2015) was an American actor and film producer. A number of the B-movies that he produced are considered to be among the all-time worst, and were immortalized through "Mystery Science Theater 3000". Early years. Cardoza was born in Hartford, Connecticut. Military service. Before becoming involved in the film industry, Cardoza was a Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army 3rd infantry division, being a Sgt. Gunner on the 105 mm Howitzer in the Korean War. He was awarded two Bronze Battle Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, Korean War Medal , Sharp Shooters medal, Presidents Medal, The Sygmond Rhee Presidential Medal, The Asian War Medal, and others. Just prior to his Honorable Discharge, he was assigned to escort duty (escorting deceased soldiers to their loved ones). Manufacturing career. After his discharge from the Army, Cardoza worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut, as a Heliarc welder on J-57 Jet engines, a trade he continued making a living from for a number of years into his show business career. However, in 1963, a doctor advised him to stop welding because of chalazion forming under his eyelids. Film career. Cardoza worked  on over a dozen films, but is perhaps best known for his three collaborations with Coleman Francis in the 1960s: "The Beast of Yucca Flats", "The Skydivers", and "Red Zone Cuba". Cardoza's work would be remembered in the 1990s television series "Mystery Science Theater 3000", as four of his five films would be lampooned – his three collaborations with Coleman Francis, and "The Hellcats". Personal life. Cardoza was married to Allison Hurst, "an experienced auto racing driver. They had a daughter, Kim. Death. Cardoza died December 7, 2015, as a result of complications from a stroke.