Boston-born Alex Rocco, who's best known for his character Moe Greene, the Las Vegas casino boss in the 1972 American crime film 'The Godfather', died at the age of 79, according to reports.
The news about Rocco's death was announced by his daughter, Jennifer Rocco, on Sunday, July 19. No further details have been released.
Rocco started his career five decades ago and he remained active in the filming industry until his death. He appeared in 'The Friends of Eddie Coyle', 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre', 'Get Shorty' and in various comedy sitcoms such as 'The Facts of Life' and 'The Simpsons' where he dubbed the voice of Roger Meyers Jr.
Among his films, Rocco's most known role was in the 1972 hit 'The Godfather', where he played the character of a humbled casino owner based on real-life Bugsy Siegel. In the film, Rocco was a longtime associate of the Corleone family who owns a hotel in Las Vegas.
One of his movie's most indelible scenes was when he brought up the lines, "I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders!"
In 1990, Alex Rocco won an Emmy award as the best supporting actor in the Jon Cryer comic series 'The Famous Teddy Z.'
Alex Rocco was born on February 29, 1936 as Alessandro Frederico Petricne Jr. He studied acting under Leonard Nimoy's supervision during his arrival in Los Angeles. Rocco made his acting debut with his first role in the 1965 Russ Meyer film, 'Motor Psycho.'
In the sitcom 'Can't Hurry Love', Rocco had also played as the father of McKeon's characters and appeared in the police TV series 'The Division'.
Other movies and TV appearances of Rocco included 'Wild Riders', 'Hearts of the West', 'Voices', 'Freebie and the Bean', 'The Stunt Man', 'Wired', 'That Thing You Do!', 'Dead of Night', 'A Bug's Life', and 'The Pope Must Diet'.
Alex Rocco is survived by his wife, Shannon Wilcox, his son Lucien, daughter Jennifer and his grandson.
