Richard Foronjy
Richard Foronjy | |
|---|---|
 Foronjy in Midnight Run, 1988 | |
| Born | Richard Edward Foronjy August 3, 1937 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 19, 2024 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1973–2003 |
Richard Edward Foronjy (August 3, 1937 – May 19, 2024) was an American film and television actor.[1][2] He was best known for playing the mobster Tony Darvo in the 1988 film Midnight Run.[3]
Life and career
Foronjy was born in Brooklyn, New York.[4] He was of Armenian descent. Before becoming an actor, he had an extensive criminal record, including armed robbery. He also worked as a butcher.[5] He began his screen career in 1973, playing the small role of Corsaro in the film Serpico.[6] In 1974, he appeared in the film The Gambler.[7] He moved to Hollywood, California in 1975.[8]
Later in his career, Foronjy guest-starred in numerous television programs including The Bob Newhart Show, M*A*S*H, Hill Street Blues, Who's the Boss?, The Jeffersons, Taxi, The Streets of San Francisco, Baretta and Silver Spoons. In the 1984 film Repo Man, he played Arnold Plettschner, the rent-a-cop who memorably said, "You’re fuckin’ right I'm Plettschner! Arnold Plettschner! Three times decorated in two world wars! I was killing people while you were still swimming around in your father's balls! You little scumbag! I worked five years in a slaughterhouse, and ten years as a prison guard in Attica!"[6] In 1988, he played the mobster Tony Darvo in the film Midnight Run, who notably chased Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin's characters.[3][9] He also appeared in films such as Carlito's Way (as Peter Amdesso), Prince of the City (as Detective Joe Marinaro), Ghostbusters II, The Jerk, Man of the House and City Heat.[7]
In 2020, Foronjy wrote and published a memoir, From the Mob to the Movies.[10]
Death
Foronjy died on May 19, 2024, at the age of 86.[6][11]
At the 97th Academy Awards, his name was mentioned in the In Memoriam section.[12]
References
- ↑ "Foronjy". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. February 4, 1987. p. 89. Retrieved December 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Scott, Vernon (January 19, 1987). "Ex-con becomes successful Hollywood character actor". The Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. p. 16. Retrieved December 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Wilmington, Michael (July 20, 1998). "Movie Review: Murderous Fun in the 'Midnight Run'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2018 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Monroe was a lousy actress: Randall". Burlington Hawk Eye. Burlington, Iowa. February 6, 1983. p. 36. Retrieved August 14, 2026 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ↑ "From felony to fame". United Press International. January 20, 1987. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- 1 2 3 Kuznikov, Selena (May 21, 2024). "Richard Foronjy, Character Actor in 'Midnight Run' and 'Serpico,' Dies at 86". Variety. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- 1 2 "Richard Foronjy List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Kojak series awakens actor in ex-con Richard Foronjy". Winnipeg Free Press. January 18, 1987. p. 13. Retrieved August 14, 2026 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ↑ Pedersen, Erik (May 18, 2021). "Robert De Niro Remembers His 'Midnight Run' Co-Star Charles Grodin: "As Good A Person As He Was An Actor"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ↑ McArdle, Tommy (May 22, 2024). "Serpico Actor Richard Foronjy Dead at 86: 'A Legend in Every Sense'". People. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ Barnes, Mike (May 21, 2024). "Richard Foronjy, Convicted Criminal Turned Character Actor, Dies at 86". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ↑ "In Memoriam". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
External links
- Richard Foronjy at IMDb
- Richard Foronjy at the TCM Movie Database (archived)
- Rotten Tomatoes profile