| 39th | Top people from Rhode Island |
| Nicholas Colasanto | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 19, 1924 Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
| Died | February 12, 1985 (aged 61) Studio City, California, United States |
| Occupation | actor |
Nicholas Colasanto (January 19, 1924 - February 12, 1985) was an American actor and television director, known primarily for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the sitcom Cheers. He also appeared in feature films which include Fat City, Family Plot, and Raging Bull.
As a director, Colasanto worked on over two dozen American TV series between 1966 and 1981, including such hits as Hawaii Five-O, Columbo, Starsky and Hutch and CHiPs.
He attended Bryant University, now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and was a decorated veteran of World War II.
Colasanto directed two episodes of Columbo: "Étude in Black", starring John Cassavetes as conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and "Swan Song", starring Johnny Cash as a murdering country and western singer. At one point, during the episode, Cash's character refers to his (unseen) colleague "Nick Solacanto".
As an actor he appeared in a number of popular television series, including Mannix, Kojak, Ironside and Lou Grant.
Colasanto died of a heart ailment on February 12, 1985 at the age of 61, just as Cheers was achieving its greatest success. His character was not re-cast; instead Cheers hired Woody Harrelson to play the low IQ-ed Woody Boyd. After his death, Colasanto's presence on the show was represented by the placing of a picture of Geronimo on the wall of the show's primary set. The photo had previously hung in Colasanto's dressing room and was said to hold a special meaning to the actor. The picture remained on the set for the rest of the series' run.
Coach died shortly after the filming of episode 22 ("Cheerio, Cheers") of season 3. However, he appears in the title credits up to the final episode of season 3 and was also in the final episode of the season, "Rescue Me". His appearance in "Rescue Me" was achieved by using an unaired scene from a previous episode.
Eight years after Colasanto's death, the show offered a subtle but important nod to him in its final scene: star Ted Danson walks up to and straightens the Geronimo picture before walking off stage for the last time.
   | Find-A-Grave profile for Nicholas Colasanto - Nicholas Colasanto (1924 - 1985) - Find A Grave Memorial |
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