Alex Rocco, ‘Moe Greene’ Dies at 79

Alex Rocco, best known for his iconic role as Moe Greene in The Godfather recently passed away at the age of 79 from cancer, as stated by his manager Susan Zachary.

 

The well-loved actor was famous for his Coppola role, with lines like “I buy you out, you don’t buy me out!” “He was bangin’ cocktail waitresses two at a time …” “Don’t you know who I am?”. For 40 years, Alex enjoyed leaving Moe Greene messages requested by friends, families and even strangers.

 

A real life gangster

Born Alexander Federico Petricone in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Alex grew up in the gritty side of Winter Hill where he was a known member of the mob. He was arrested once in a gang-related killing but was later on released. Rocco fled to LA in hopes of changing his future, starting it off by working as a bartender.

 

Enamor of Hollywood

He then undertook acting lessons and landed his first film role in Russ Meyer’s 1965 film,Motor Psycho. He also became the henchman on Batman in 1967 installment. After a slew of appearances and stints, it was seven years later that he would land the role of his life.

 

While Moe Greene didn’t have a ton of screen time, his was a role well loved and applauded by many. Rocco’s eyebrows and Boston accent always stole the show. He once recalled the film as, the “greatest piece of direction I ever got”.

 

With his natural knack as a bad boy, Rocco didn’t have any issues playing the gangster role. In one interview he said, “Playing gangsters is great,” he said. “They usually dress you sharp. And you have a license to pretty much bully anybody. I mean, I wouldn’t dare do that at home. My wife will give me a back hander.”

 

He appeared in numerous films and series like The Friends of Eddie Coyle(1973), Joan Rivers’ Rabbit Test (1978), The Stunt Man (1980), Herbie Goes Bananas(1980), Get Shorty(1995), That Thing You Do! (1996) andSmokin’ Aces (2006).

In 1990, he received an Emmy for his role in the sitcom, The Famous Teddy Z.

 

Alex Rocco’s death was mourned by many, with plenty of Hollywood stars sharing their respects.

 

In 1966, Alex Rocco married Sandie Elaine Garrett, who died in 2002. He re-married to actress Shannon Wilcox in 2005.

 

He is survived by Shannon and four of his children.