John Cazale (1935—1978)[1][citation needed] was an American screen and stage actor who appeared in six feature films and seven theatrical productions before his early death from lung cancer aged 42.[1] A character actor,[2] Cazale holds the unique distinction of only appearing in feature films that were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
After appearing in a short film and an episode of the television series N.Y.P.D., Cazale made his feature film debut as Fredo Corleone in the Francis Ford Coppola-directed The Godfather (1972). Two years later, he reprised the role in The Godfather Part II. In 1974, he appeared in The Conversation, also directed by Coppola.[3] In 1975, he starred as Salvatore Naturile opposite Pacino in the bank robbery film Dog Day Afternoon.[4] His performance garnered him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.[5]
In 1976, he starred in an off-Broadway production of Measure for Measure, opposite Meryl Streep,[6] as well as a production of The Local Stigmatic. His final appearance on stage was as Agamemnon in the eponymous play in 1977.
In 1978, he starred alongside Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter. The film was released posthumously. A film documentary tribute to Cazale, I Knew It Was You, was screened at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The American Way | Unknown | Short film, also editor | [7] |
| 1968 | N.Y.P.D. | Tom Andrews | Episode: "The Peep Freak" | [8] |
| 1972 | The Godfather | Fredo Corleone | [9] | |
| 1974 | The Conversation | Stan | [3] | |
| 1974 | The Godfather Part II | Fredo Corleone | [10] | |
| 1975 | Dog Day Afternoon | Salvatore Naturile? | [4] | |
| 1978 | The Deer Hunter | Stan | Posthumous release | [11][12] |
Theatre credits edit
| Year | Title | Role | Theatre | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | J.B | Performer | Master Theatre, New York | ||
| 1968 | The Indian Wants the Bronx It's Called the Sugar Plum |
Gupta East Indian |
Astor Place Theatre, Off-Broadway | ||
| 1971 | Acrobats & Line | Dolan (line) | Lucille Lortel Theatre, Off-Broadway | ||
| 1975 | The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui | Joseph Goebbels | The Public Theatre, Off-Broadway | [13] | |
| 1976 | The Local Stigmatic | Performer | The Public Theatre, Off-Broadway | ||
| 1976 | Measure for Measure | Angelo | Delacorte Theatre, Off-Broadway | [6] | |
| 1977 | Agamemnon | Agamemnon Aegisthu |
Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway | Replaced by Jamil Zakkai after first preview | [14] |
References edit
- ^ a b "John Cazale, Actor on Stage and Screen". The New York Times. March 14, 1978. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Brek, Madison (June 10, 2018). "John Cazale's Unparalleled Cinematic Legacy". Film School Rejects. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ a b Ebert, Roger (February 4, 2001). "The Conversation". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Canby, Vincent (September 22, 1975). "Screen: Lumet's 'Dog Day Afternoon'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Winners & Nominees 1976". Golden Globe Awards. Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Gussow, Mel (August 13, 1976). "Stage: A 'Measure' to Test The Mettle of Actors". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ "The American Way". Mubi. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "N.Y.P.D. {NYPD}: The Peep Freak (TV)". The Paley Center For Media. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (March 16, 1997). "The Godfather". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (October 2, 2008). ""This is the business we've chosen."". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Top 10 Posthumous Film Roles". Time. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (March 9, 1978). "The Deer Hunter". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Kalem, T.E. (May 26, 1975). "The Theater: Heil Heel". Time. Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "Agamemnon". Internet Broadway Database. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2021.