About Abe Vigoda
Abraham Vigoda (February 24, 1921 – January 26, 2016) was an American actor, known for his portrayals of Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather (1972) and Phil Fish in both Barney Miller (1975–1977, 1982) and Fish (1977–1978). His career as an actor began in 1947 performing with the American Theatre Wing and continued in Broadway productions throughout the 1960s and 1970s. == Early life and education == Vigoda was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 24, 1921, the son of Samuel Vigoda (Yiddish: שמואל וויגאָדאַ; Russian: Самуэль Вигода) and Lena Moses (Yiddish: לענאַ משה וויגאָדאַ; Russian: Лена Мозес Вигода), Jewish immigrants from Russia. His father was a tailor who had two other sons: Hy and Bill. The latter was a comic book artist who drew for the Archie Comics franchise and others in the 1940s. After leaving school, Vigoda worked as a printer before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1943, serving in World War II. After his military service, he studied acting on the G.I. Bill at the American Theatre Wing. In the late 1940s, he began working in radio, and made his television debut in an installment of the live drama series Studio One. == Career == Vigoda began acting while in his 20s, working with the American Theatre Wing. His career as a professional actor began in 1947. He gained acting notoriety in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his work in Broadway productions, including Marat/Sade (1967), portraying Mad Animal; The Man in the Glass Booth (1968), portraying Landau; Inquest (1970); and Tough to Get Help (1972), portraying Abraham Lincoln.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.