Abe Vigoda is Still Alive, Thank You Very Much - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 09-24-2008, 07:56 AM

Link

(CNN) -- Abe Vigoda found out he was dead in 1982. He was doing a play in Calgary, Alberta, while a People magazine writer visited the "Barney Miller" wrap party in Los Angeles, California.

"The Godfather" was Abe Vigoda's first film -- and more than 35 years later, he's still around to enjoy it.

"Somehow it mentioned in the article that 'the late Abe Vigoda' was not [there]," Vigoda recalls.

The error was corrected, but the damage had been done. Vigoda's "Barney Miller" character -- the decrepit, downcast Det. Phil Fish -- didn't help the image. Never mind that the real Vigoda was a vigorous man just turning 60 at the time; the question of whether he's shuffled off this mortal coil has followed him around ever since. There's even a Web site devoted to his life-or-death status.

But Vigoda takes the attention with good humor (and occasional appearances on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"). Now 87, he can look back on a successful career with at least two immortal characters: Fish and the "Godfather" lieutenant, Sal Tessio.

Vigoda was a successful New York stage actor when "Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola came calling. (Among his credits: Robert Shaw's 1968 play "The Man in the Glass Booth," with F. Murray Abraham.) Though he hadn't read the book -- and was Jewish, not Italian -- he had a presence Coppola liked, and was finally cast as Tessio.

"The Godfather" -- now in a digitally pristine "Coppola Restoration" DVD edition, out Tuesday -- was Vigoda's first movie, and it was an experience he greatly enjoyed. Every day, a car would pick him up at his apartment to take him to the location; at makeup, he'd sit near Marlon Brando.

"I found him to be a quiet man. He kept mostly to himself," Vigoda recalls. "I respected his privacy. He was a great star. This was my first big thing -- I felt lucky and grateful I was with these people."

More amusing were some of the people on the set, actual members of New York Mob families. "They kept looking at me, as if to say, 'What family is he from?' " Vigoda says. "It was fascinating."

After "The Godfather" came out, people started confusing Vigoda with his character. In one case, he was driving with his wife in Los Angeles when a police car pulled him over. One officer asked for his license; his partner glowered at Vigoda, gun drawn.

"He said, 'You look familiar to me.' ... I said, 'My name is Abe Vigoda, I'm an actor.' And he said, 'Oh! Tom, this is Abe Vigoda, the actor. So good to see you. Go ahead and have a good time in L.A.,' " Vigoda says. "These were the incidents that followed 'The Godfather.' "

"The Godfather" changed Vigoda's life. He was quickly offered a movie of the week, then the role of Fish on "Miller," a character eventually spun off into his own show. He's had roles in "The Cheap Detective," "Look Who's Talking" and "Joe Versus the Volcano," as well as the occasional TV guest appearance.

And -- have no fear -- he's still in good shape. For years, Vigoda was a top New York handball player, and he still plays.

"I'm still quite [involved]," he says. "Which has helped me with my coordination all my life, including with my theater work. Coordination is the key in getting things done correctly."

robyrob · 09-24-2008, 01:16 PM

well, the Firefox extension no longer works with the newer versions (quite sadly too), but you can still always go to http://www.abevigoda.com/ffb.php for up-to-the-minute Abe Vigoda livelyness status updates.

catlover79 · 09-24-2008, 01:48 PM

I love Abe Vigoda - the bits he does on Conan O'Brien are hysterical. LONG LIVE ABE!!!!!

LeeBlue · 09-24-2008, 11:26 PM

I've heard these rumors for years & years -- nice that Mr Vigoda has kept his sense of humor about them -- and nice to see him looking so fit!

catlover79 · 09-25-2008, 01:32 PM

^ I heard that years ago Abe had a photo of himself in a coffin taken at the height of the "dead" rumors. I always found it amusing that there was an episode of Barney Miller where the computer database insisted Fish was dead - years before the rumors began in real life!!!

Yes, it's good that he's kept his sense of humor about it.

OH Nuts! · 09-30-2008, 09:29 AM

and not only was he a great cop but he was a fiece Capo too in The Godfather.

catlover79 · 09-30-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich p

and not only was he a great cop but he was a fiece Capo too in The Godfather.

My parents actually saw The Godfather on their first date back in 1972. Not my idea of a great date movie, but 36+ years later, they're still together!!!

LeeBlue · 09-30-2008, 11:14 PM

36+ years together -- that terrific!!

Maybe Abe Vigoda brought them luck -- LOL.

catlover79 · 10-01-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeBlue

36+ years together -- that terrific!!

Maybe Abe Vigoda brought them luck -- LOL.

I'll have to tell them that. Thanks for the kind words, Lee.

Schmoopie · 10-02-2008, 02:40 AM

I read this article the other day and wondered if it would end up on this board! I love Abe Vigoda. Did anyone see him in that adorable Christmas movie, "Prancer"? It came out a while ago (1998, maybe?), but he was really funny in it!

Andrea

catlover79 · 10-02-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I read this article the other day and wondered if it would end up on this board! I love Abe Vigoda. Did anyone see him in that adorable Christmas movie, "Prancer"? It came out a while ago (1998, maybe?), but he was really funny in it!

Andrea

Wow, I never knew he was in Prancer. I'll have to rent that movie!

Dr. Thong · 01-10-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

and not only was he a great cop but he was a fiece Capo too in The Godfather.

I'd been watching Barney Miller for years before seeing The Godfather (which has gone on to become my all-time favorite movie) and when I saw Vigoda, I chuckled and went "Hey, it's Fish!"

But by the end of the movie, I wasn't laughing anymore. Vigoda did a great job in that movie. The look on his face when he realizes he's going to be killed for being a traitor is priceless and haunting.

Glad to see Abe's still around and apparently in good health and good spirits.

Zoneboy · 01-10-2009, 01:06 PM

PETA's latest idea

Dr. Thong · 01-10-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

PETA's latest idea

Good one.

Though Abe Vigoda as "Detective Phil Sea-Kitten" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

catlover79 · 01-10-2009, 01:15 PM

Charles, you are THE MAN!!

09-24-2008, 07:56 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	Abe Vigoda is Still Alive, Thank You Very Much Link (CNN) -- Abe Vigoda found out he was dead in 1982. He was doing a play in Calgary, Alberta, while a People magazine writer visited the "Barney Miller" wrap party in Los Angeles, California. "The Godfather" was Abe Vigoda's first film -- and more than 35 years later, he's still around to enjoy it. "Somehow it mentioned in the article that 'the late Abe Vigoda' was not [there]," Vigoda recalls. The error was corrected, but the damage had been done. Vigoda's "Barney Miller" character -- the decrepit, downcast Det. Phil Fish -- didn't help the image. Never mind that the real Vigoda was a vigorous man just turning 60 at the time; the question of whether he's shuffled off this mortal coil has followed him around ever since. There's even a Web site devoted to his life-or-death status. But Vigoda takes the attention with good humor (and occasional appearances on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"). Now 87, he can look back on a successful career with at least two immortal characters: Fish and the "Godfather" lieutenant, Sal Tessio. Vigoda was a successful New York stage actor when "Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola came calling. (Among his credits: Robert Shaw's 1968 play "The Man in the Glass Booth," with F. Murray Abraham.) Though he hadn't read the book -- and was Jewish, not Italian -- he had a presence Coppola liked, and was finally cast as Tessio. "The Godfather" -- now in a digitally pristine "Coppola Restoration" DVD edition, out Tuesday -- was Vigoda's first movie, and it was an experience he greatly enjoyed. Every day, a car would pick him up at his apartment to take him to the location; at makeup, he'd sit near Marlon Brando. "I found him to be a quiet man. He kept mostly to himself," Vigoda recalls. "I respected his privacy. He was a great star. This was my first big thing -- I felt lucky and grateful I was with these people." More amusing were some of the people on the set, actual members of New York Mob families. "They kept looking at me, as if to say, 'What family is he from?' " Vigoda says. "It was fascinating." After "The Godfather" came out, people started confusing Vigoda with his character. In one case, he was driving with his wife in Los Angeles when a police car pulled him over. One officer asked for his license; his partner glowered at Vigoda, gun drawn. "He said, 'You look familiar to me.' ... I said, 'My name is Abe Vigoda, I'm an actor.' And he said, 'Oh! Tom, this is Abe Vigoda, the actor. So good to see you. Go ahead and have a good time in L.A.,' " Vigoda says. "These were the incidents that followed 'The Godfather.' " "The Godfather" changed Vigoda's life. He was quickly offered a movie of the week, then the role of Fish on "Miller," a character eventually spun off into his own show. He's had roles in "The Cheap Detective," "Look Who's Talking" and "Joe Versus the Volcano," as well as the occasional TV guest appearance. And -- have no fear -- he's still in good shape. For years, Vigoda was a top New York handball player, and he still plays. "I'm still quite [involved]," he says. "Which has helped me with my coordination all my life, including with my theater work. Coordination is the key in getting things done correctly."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

09-24-2008, 01:16 PM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,191	well, the Firefox extension no longer works with the newer versions (quite sadly too), but you can still always go to http://www.abevigoda.com/ffb.php for up-to-the-minute Abe Vigoda livelyness status updates.
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09-24-2008, 01:48 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I love Abe Vigoda - the bits he does on Conan O'Brien are hysterical. LONG LIVE ABE!!!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-24-2008, 11:26 PM	#4
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	Abe Vigoda is Still Alive, Thank You Very Much I've heard these rumors for years & years -- nice that Mr Vigoda has kept his sense of humor about them -- and nice to see him looking so fit!

09-30-2008, 11:14 PM	#8
LeeBlue Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 16, 2006 Location: NYS Posts: 871	Abe Vigoda is Still Alive, Thank You Very Much 36+ years together -- that terrific!! Maybe Abe Vigoda brought them luck -- LOL.

09-25-2008, 01:32 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	^ I heard that years ago Abe had a photo of himself in a coffin taken at the height of the "dead" rumors. I always found it amusing that there was an episode of Barney Miller where the computer database insisted Fish was dead - years before the rumors began in real life!!! Yes, it's good that he's kept his sense of humor about it.

09-30-2008, 09:29 AM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	and not only was he a great cop but he was a fiece Capo too in The Godfather.

10-02-2008, 02:40 AM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I read this article the other day and wondered if it would end up on this board! I love Abe Vigoda. Did anyone see him in that adorable Christmas movie, "Prancer"? It came out a while ago (1998, maybe?), but he was really funny in it! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

01-10-2009, 01:06 PM	#13
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	PETA's latest idea

01-10-2009, 01:15 PM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Charles, you are THE MAN!!