About
Tall, dour-faced and slouch-shouldered character actor Abraham Charles Vigoda (February 24, 1921 – January 26, 2016) proved himself in both gritty dramatic roles, and as an actor with wonderful comedic timing. Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Lena (Moses) and Samuel Vigoda, both Russian Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor on the Lower East Side. He made his first stage appearance at the age of 17 and plodded away in small theater shows for over 20 years. For the majority of film-goers, Vigoda first came to prominence in The Godfather (1972) as the double-crossing Tessio, pleading with Robert Duvall to get him off the hook "for old times' sake." He also appeared in its sequel. Vigoda had roles in a few nondescript TV films before landing the plum part of Sgt. Phil Fish on the brilliant sitcom Barney Miller (1974). Perhaps his best known role, Sgt. Fish proved popular...
Known for
Law & OrderSeries • 1990
Family GuySeries • 1999
The Love BoatSeries • 1977
Dark ShadowsSeries • 1966
Diagnosis: MurderSeries • 1993
MacGyverSeries • 1985
Murder, She WroteSeries • 1984
Hawaii Five-OSeries • 1969
The Rockford FilesSeries • 1974
Love, American StyleSeries • 1969
Mad About YouSeries • 1992
MannixSeries • 1967
WingsSeries • 1990
The GodfatherMovie • 1972
Touched by an AngelSeries • 1994
Barney MillerSeries • 1975
Studio OneSeries • 1948
CannonSeries • 1971
Tales from the DarksideSeries • 1984
The Godfather Part IIMovie • 1974
SuspenseSeries • 1949
KojakSeries • 1973
The RookiesSeries • 1972
Vega$Series • 1978