Frank Pesce Died From Dementia: Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop Actor Passes Away at 75
Frank Pesce, who appeared in films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, and Miami Vice, has passed away. He was 75 years old.
Pesce’s fiancée Tammy Scher informed Deadline that the actor died of dementia complications on February 6 in Burbank. A representative for Pesce did not reply to a request for comment right away.
According to the site, Pesce was born on December 8, 1946, in New York City, and was a lifelong acquaintance of performers such as Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza, and Robert Forster.
In the mid-1970s, he began his acting career as a guest performer on episodes like Police Story and Kojak. He also appeared in Stallone’s flicks Rocky and Paradise Alley in minor parts.
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Pesce also appeared in American Gigolo, Young Doctors in Love, and Vigilante, among other films. Cagney & Lacey, Knight Rider, The Greatest American Hero, Matlock, and Who’s the Boss? were among his many television appearances.
Following his appearance as a bar regular in Flashdance, he went on to play roles in Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop films, Top Gun, and Midnight Run.
Vito Pesce, his sister-in-law Catherine Pesce, and his nieces Vanessa and Danielle Pesce survive him. According to Timesread, he will be laid to rest on February 18 at Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx.
Frank was remained a regular figure on TV in the 2010s, having being renowned for his supporting parts on successful programmes like Miami Vice. Cagney & Lacey, The Greatest American Hero, Matlock, Who’s the Boss?, and Knight Rider are among the films that have starred James Cagney.
His best-known part is likely his cameo in the 1984 smash film Beverly Hills Cop, in which he portrayed a cigarette salesman in the opening scene.
Frank went on to play a bartender in one of Tom Cruise’s biggest movies, Top Gun, and made another cameo appearance in the sequel to Eddie Murphy’s smash-hit series.
Prior to his death, Oscar-nominated producer David Permut revealed a tale about the late actor and the 1991 picture 29th Street, which was based on Frank’s early life storey.
“Producing 29th Street, a film based on Frank’s early life in NYC when he wound up with a winning lottery ticket, was one of the most unforgettable experiences I had,” David told a new agency.
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“I had sold Frank’s true biography to United Artists and recruited George Gallo to write the movie, only to discover later that Frank had also sold his exclusive life rights to Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer at Paramount!” According to the producer, he “exploded at Frank” at the time.
“I contacted Don Simpson, with whom I thankfully had an excellent connection, and he literally laughed and told me to forget about it,” he said.
“Thank God, because I never told John Goldwyn, who signed the development contract with us at UA while he was head of production, about the storey.” Frank formed strong ties with actors such as Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza, and the late Robert Forster throughout the years.
Vito Pesce, his nieces Vanessa and Danielle Pesce, his sister-in-law Catherine Pesce, as well as his companion and lover Tammy, survived the late actor.
On February 18, Frank will be laid to rest in Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City.