‘The French Connection’ actor Tony Lo Bianco dies aged 87
The French Connection and Law And Order star star Tony Lo Bianco has died aged 87.The actor passed away on Tuesday night (June 12) at his horse farm in Poolesville, Maryland, following a long battle with prostate cancer, his representatives confirmed (via The Hollywood Reporter).“Tony passed peacefully at 9pm last night with his wife Alyse by his side,” they said in a statement.Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1936 Lo Bianco was best known for his performance in The French Connection, which won five Academy awards 1971: Best Picture, Best Actor (Gene Hackman), Best Director (William Friedkin), Best Film Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay.He also starred alongside Richard Gere in Bloodbrothers (1978) and appeared alongside Clint Eastwood in City Heat (1984).Lo Bianco kickstarted his film career with the cult classic The Honeymoon Killers (1970), with plenty of big screen work soon following.Outside of film, he was a successful stage actor, director and producer, starring in many Broadway productions including Moliere’s Tartuffe. He also directed eight productions and produced 25 more.In 1975, Lo Bianco won an Obie Award for his role in an Off-Broadway production of Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the Seventh.He was also nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge.Elsewhere, Lo Bianco starred as heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano in Marciano (1979) and later appeared in many tough guy roles in films including City of Hope (1991), Boiling Point (1993) and The Juror (1996).Later in life, Lo Bianco appeared in a number of popular TV series, including Murder, She Wrote and Law And Order.Away from acting, Lo Bianco was also a Golden Gloves boxer.