Wikipedia

Tom Pedi

Thomas Joseph Pedi[1] (September 14, 1913 – December 29, 1996) was an American actor whose work included roles on stage, television and film in a career spanning 50 years.[2] He was particularly well-known for his portrayal of Rocky, the night barman, in The Iceman Cometh, a part which he originated and played on stage, film and television.[3][4] Pedi was the cousin of voice actress Christine Pedi.[5]

Tom Pedi
Pedi in a scene from Arnie (1971)
Born
Thomas Joseph Pedi

(1913-09-14)September 14, 1913
Brooklyn, New York City, US
DiedDecember 29, 1996(1996-12-29) (aged 83)
Burbank, California, US
Alma materNew Utrecht High School
OccupationActor
Years active1937–1987
SpouseStacey Hunter
Children1

Early life and career

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A Brooklyn native,[3] Pedi was the son of Angelo Pedi and Carmen Raimondo.[6] He attended New Utrecht High School, graduating in 1933.[7] Four years later, Pedi made his professional debut as Benito Mussolini in the Harold Rome revue, Pins and Needles.[3][8]

Personal life and death

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On August 7, 1953, Pedi married Philadelphia-born showgirl Stacey Hunter in London, while in the midst of an extended engagement with the touring company of Guys and Dolls.[9][10] By the time the couple returned to the U.S. the following October, they had a young son, Alexander, in tow.[11]

 
Tom Pedi, Allan Melvin and Herschel Bernardi as Arnie Nuvo in Arnie in 1971

On December 29, 1996, at age 83, Pedi died of a heart attack in Burbank, California. His cremated remains are interred at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, California.[12][13]

Performances

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Theater

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Except where indicated, listings come from the Internet Broadway Database.[14]

Start End Title Role
September 28, 1937[15] Pins and Needles Benito Mussolini[3][8]
December 21, 1941 February 7, 1942 Brooklyn USA The Dasher
October 27, 1945 November 17, 1945 Beggars Are Coming to Town Heinz
October 9, 1946 March 15, 1947 The Iceman Cometh Rocky Pioggi
February 10, 1949 November 18, 1950 Death of a Salesman Stanley
September 29, 1955 February 4, 1956 A View from the Bridge / A Memory of Two Mondays Mike / Mechanic
February 28, 1957 July 13, 1957 A Hole in the Head Lenny
March 23, 1963 April 6, 1963 My Mother, My Father and Me Tonio Crazzo
November 11, 1963 November 16, 1963 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Bodyguard
April 28, 1965
April 20, 1955
November 24, 1950 		May 9, 1965
May 31, 1955
November 28, 1953 		Guys and Dolls Harry the Horse
October 4, 1966 December 31, 1966 The Investigation The Accused
April 18, 1968 April 20, 1968 Mike Downstairs Paul

Pedi also performed in the premiere of the stage version of State Fair at The Muny in St. Louis in 1969. The show had a two week run.

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1942 Native Land Union member intently watching game of checkers [16][17]
1948 The Naked City Detective Perelli [18]
1948 State of the Union Barber [18]
1948 Up in Central Park O'Toole [19]
1949 Criss Cross Vincent [20]
1949 Sorrowful Jones Once Over Sam [21]
1950 Cry Murder Santorre [22]
1973 The Iceman Cometh Rocky Pioggi [23]
1974 The Taking of Pelham One Two Three Caz Dolowicz [23]
1976 Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood Moving Man Uncredited[citation needed]
1976 St. Ives Fat Angie Polaterra [24]
1978 The Cat from Outer Space Honest Harry [25]
1978 The One Man Jury Angie [25]
1979 The North Avenue Irregulars Bartender [26]
1980 Little Miss Marker Vittorio [27]

Television

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Except where indicated, listings come from the Internet Movie Database.[better source needed]

Year Series Role Notes
1949 Repertory Theatre Episode: "The Five Lives of Richard Gordon"
1949 The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre Episode: "The Door"
1950 The Stage Door Rocco
1952 Repertory Theatre Joe Episode: "Rich Boy"
1956 Stanley Mr. Ferris Episode: "Opera Tickets"
1958 Decoy Maxie Pardo Episode: "Odds Against the Jockey"
1958 Omnibus Bolo Episode: "The So-Called Human Race"[28]
1958 Adventures of the Sea Hawk Le Gross Episode #1.23
1960 Play of the Week Rocky Episode: The Iceman Cometh Parts: 1 & 2
1967 The Edge of Night Hector Episode #1.3048
1970 That Girl Tony Episode: "The Night They Raided Daddy's"
1971 Night Gallery Mr. Boucher Episode: "A Fear of Spiders"
1970–1971 Arnie Julius 15 episodes[20]
1972 The Family Rico Angelo TV movie
1973 The New Treasure Hunt Various Uncredited
1973 Maude Mr. Bungay Episode: "Maude Takes a Job"
1973 Lotsa Luck First Moving Man Episode: "The Family Plot"Arnie"
1974 McMillan & Wife News Vendor Episode: "Cross & Double Cross"
1974 Dominic's Dream Uncle Willie TV movie
1974 Kojak Filacchione Episode: "You Can't Tell a Hurt Man How to Holler"
1975 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Al Episode: "The System"
1975 The Odd Couple Louie Menninni Episode: "Old Flames Never Die"
1975 Lucas Tanner Policeman Episode: "The Noise of a Quiet Weekend"
1976 McCloud Santa Claus Episode: "'Twas the Fight Before Christmas..."
1977 Serpico Nick Episode: "The Party of Your Choice"
1977 Black Market Baby Uncle Sanchi TV movie
1978 CHiPs Bruno Episode: "Vintage '54"
1978 Human Feelings Frank TV movie
1979 The Ropers Moving Man Episode: "Friends and Neighbors"
1979 Stone Aaron Abromowitz TV movie
1987 Laguna Heat Jimmy Hylkama TV movie, (final film role)

References

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  1. ^ "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6K9W-W9CH : 10 February 2023), Thomas Joseph Pedi, .
  2. ^ "Tom Pedi". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d "Tom Pedi, Brooklynite, Makes Hit With O'Neil and Public". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. November 10, 1946. p. 32. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "HIGHBROW BROADWAY (continued): THE ICEMAN COMETH; O'Neill's play is too long, too wordy, but deeply absorbing". Life. October 28, 1946. p. 110. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  5. ^ Pogrebin, Robin (March 20, 2001). "Christine Pedi Keeps Making an Impression With Her Parodies of Broadway's Divas". The New York Times. p. E1. ProQuest 431693232. She said she was also influenced by her cousin, Tom Pedi, a character actor who was in the original productions of 'Guys and Dolls,' 'Death of a Salesman' and 'A View from the Bridge.' 'Tom did it for the love of theater,' she said. 'He didn't care about the approval of anyone else. He did it because he loved to be onstage.'
  6. ^ "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6K9W-W9CH : 10 February 2023), Thomas Joseph Pedi, .
  7. ^ "648 Graduated at New Utrecht; Dr. Fritz A. H. Luchs, Herman Barshay Address Class". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 34.
  8. ^ a b "Guys and Dolls: Who's Who in the Cast (continued)". Playbill. March 23, 1953. p. 24. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "Guy With Doll". Daily Mirror. August 8, 1953. p. 6. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H41-2WR : Sun Mar 10 01:57:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Stacey Pedi, 1954.
  11. ^ "Tom Pedi Returning to U. S.; Miriam Burton Wins Grant". New York Herald Tribune. October 9, 1954. p. 9. ProQuest 1322557730. Tom Pedi, who created the role of Harry the Horse in 'Guys and Dolls,' is to return Saturday from London, after a record of 1,500 performances in the part at the Coliseum Theater. He married while in London and will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Stacy [sic] Hunter Pedi and their son, Alexander.
  12. ^ Resting Places – The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d Ed. McFarland. August 19, 2016. p. 581. ISBN 978-1-4766-2599-7.
  13. ^ "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H41-2WR : Sun Mar 10 01:57:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Stacey Pedi, 1954.
  14. ^ "Tom Pedi – Broadway Cast & Staff". The Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  15. ^ C., G. M. (August 11, 1937). "Stage News: The First Big Week". p. 12. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Campbell, Russ (1982). Cinema Strikes Back : Radical Filmmaking in the United States, 1930-1942. Ann Arbor, Mich. : UMI Research Press. p. 364. ISBN 083571330X.
  17. ^ 21 Momen (June 25, 2024). Native Land: 40-second union hall scene with Tom Pedi watching checkers. Youtube.
  18. ^ a b Michael, Paul (1980). The Great American Movie Book. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. pp. 192, 269. ISBN 0-13-363663-1.
  19. ^ Fitzgerald, Michael G. (1977). Universal Pictures : APanoramic History in Words, Pictures, and Filmographies. New Rochelle, NY: Arlington House. p. 532. ISBN 0-87000-366-6.
  20. ^ a b Keaney, Michael F. (2003). Film Noir Guide: 745 Films of the Classic Era, 1940-1959. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-7864-6366-4.
  21. ^ Carmody, Jay (July 8, 1949). "Hope Gets Cheerful Change in Fare in Warner Film". Evening Star. p. 14. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  22. ^ Masters, Dorothy (March 1, 1950). "The Durango Kid Tops New Bill at New York". New York Daily News. p. 77. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Sigoloff, Marc (2000). The Films of the Seventies : A Filmography of American, British and Canadian Films 1970-1979. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. 146, 290. ISBN 0786408820.
  24. ^ Vermilye, Jerry (1980). The Films of Charles Bronson. Secaucus, NJ: The Citadel Press. p. 228. ISBN 0806506954.
  25. ^ a b Willis, John (1979). John Willis's Screen World 1979; Vol. 30. New York : Crown Publishers. p. 136. ISBN 0517538350.
  26. ^ Tom Pedi Filmography. American Film Institute.
  27. ^ Parish, James Robert (1987). The great gangster pictures II. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press. p. 242. ISBN 0-8108-1961-9.
  28. ^ Gross, Ben (November 24, 1948). "What's On? Menasha Skulnik Stars in Heavy-Handed Spoof". New York Daily News. p. 57. ProQuest 2292436877. Kay Medford and Arny Freeman as the problem boy's parents, Michael Pollard, as the lad himself, Tom Pedi as Bolo, and Margo Bennett as the latter's sweetheart gave good accounts of themselves. So did Jerome Cowan as the judge, Walter Abel as Dr. Montefusco and others of the cast.
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