[Deathwatch] Anthony Franciosa, actor, 77

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Actor starred in film 'Hatful of Rain,' TV series 'Name of the Game'

Friday, January 20, 2006; Posted: 4:14 p.m. EST (21:14 GMT)

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/20/obit.franciosa.ap/index.ht
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LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Anthony Franciosa, whose strong
portrayals of moody, troubled characters made him a Hollywood star in
the 1950s and '60s but whose combative behavior on movie sets hampered
his career, has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 77.

Franciosa died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center after suffering a
massive stroke, publicist Dick Guttman said. The actor's wife of more
than 35 years, Rita, and other family members were present.

Franciosa was part of a new wave in the mid-20th century who
revolutionized film acting with their introspective, intensely
realistic approach to their roles. Most of them were schooled in the
method acting of New York's Actors Studio. They included Marlon Brando,
James Dean, Rod Steiger, Shelley Winters and Paul Newman.

Franciosa was once married to Winters, who died last weekend.

>From his first important film role as the brother of a drug addict in
"A Hatful of Rain," Franciosa became known for his portrayals of
complicated young men. He received a 1956 Tony nomination for his
performance in the role he created on Broadway, then an Oscar nod. In
1957, the actor appeared in three other films, "This Could Be the
Night," "A Face in the Crowd" and "Wild Is the Wind."

Franciosa's career continued in high gear with such films as "The Long
Hot Summer," "The Naked Maja" (as Goya), "The Story on Page One,"
"Period of Adjustment," "Rio Conchos" and "The Pleasure Seekers."

The actor's behavior on movie productions became the subject of
Hollywood gossip. The stories alleged fiery disputes with directors,
sulks in his dressing room, outbursts with other actors.

"I went out to Hollywood in the mid-1950s," he remarked in a 1996
interview, "and I would say I went there a little too early. It was an
incredible amount of attention, and I wasn't quite mature enough
psychologically and emotionally for it."

Franciosa's assertive attitude extended beyond movie stages; in 1957 he
served 10 days in the Los Angeles County jail for slugging a press
photographer. His reputation contributed to the downturn in Hollywood
offers, and his career veered to European-made films and television.

His first TV series, "Valentine's Day," cast him as a swinging New York
publishing executive involved in numerous romances. It lasted one
season (1964-'65).

In "The Name of the Game" (1968-71) Franciosa alternated with Gene
Barry and Robert Stack as adventurous members of a Los Angeles
publishing firm. In 1971 the producing company, Universal Pictures,
fired him from the series, charging erratic behavior. He countered that
the company had treated him badly and demanded that he take a pay cut.

The film on which "The Name of the Game" was based, "Fame Is the Name
of the Game" (1966), is generally considered the first made-for-TV
movie. It also starred Franciosa.

The 1975 TV series "Matt Helm," with Franciosa as a wisecracking
detective, was canceled after half a season.

He was born Anthony Papaleo in October 1928, in New York City. He was 1
when his father disappeared, and the boy grew up tough in Manhattan
slums. "Getting in the first blow was something I learned in
childhood," he said in an interview.

After working in odd jobs and sometimes sleeping in flophouses, at 18
he attended an audition for actors at the YMCA. and was chosen for two
plays. He later studied at the Actors Studio and the New School for
Social Research. Adopting his mother's maiden name, Franciosa, he began
getting roles in television and the theater. "A Hatful of Rain" made
him a star.

Besides Winters, Franciosa was married to writer Beatrice Bakalyar and
real estate agent Judy Kanter, with whom he had a daughter, Nina. His
lasting marriage was to Rita Thiel, a German fashion model. They had
sons Christopher and Marco.

Many thanks to TheLenGuy for posting this obituary