Character actor Paul Picerni dies at 88
Paul Picerni, 88, a prolific character actor who costarred in the television series "The Untouchables" and was featured in the 1953 horror movie "House of Wax," died Wednesday of a heart attack at his home in the Antelope Valley community of Llano, said his daughter, Maria Atkinson-Bates. He was pronounced dead at Palmdale Regional Medical Center.
Picerni portrayed Lee Hobson, a federal agent and sidekick to Eliot Ness, played by series star Robert Stack. "The Untouchables" ran on ABC from 1959 to 1963. Picerni joined the cast in its second season.
He was a familiar presence on television with appearances on such series as "Kojak," "Barnaby Jones," "Mannix" and "Perry Mason" and had roles dating to the mid-1940s.
Picerni was born Dec. 1, 1922, in Corona, N.Y. He was a bombardier during World War II and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Loyola University in Los Angeles in 1950, acting in several campus productions.
"House of Wax," which starred Vincent Price, was the first 3-D feature from a major studio, said writer Tom Weaver, who collaborated with Picerni on the 2007 book "Steps to Stardom: My Story." Picerni played Scott Andrews, a young sculptor who was the boyfriend of Sue Allen, played by Phyllis Kirk.
Picerni’s other films included "The Scalphunters" in 1968 and "Airport" in 1970. Picerni was the halftime master of ceremonies at Los Angeles Rams games at the Coliseum for 30 years.
-- Keith Thursby
Photo: Paul Picerni
Another great character actor lost to the ages. Mr. Picernie also possessed a great "actor's voice", as well. Rest In Peace, sir.
Posted by: michael g | 01/17/2011 at 11:57 AM
Paul Picerni was much more than a fine actor. He was a warm, friendly, funny man who was beloved by his many fans and most especially, his large and loving family. Paul was my special guest at the 2010 NOIR CITY Festival of DRIVE A CROOKED ROAD at the Egyptian Theatre. He proved to be a delightful raconteur of Old Hollywood and a wonderful guest. He will be missed.
Alan K. Rode
The Film Noir Foundation
Posted by: Alan | 01/17/2011 at 01:29 PM
Paul Picerni in his acting roles as Untouchable agent Lee Hobson and a soldier in the 1955 Audie Murphy film To Hell and Back, displayed an eased, good-natured but tough and forthright exertion and gave the viewers this is the great guy one would want as a comrade. His acting gave the impression of going in the right, honest and just direction for a cause. He was one of Hollywood's superb actors. May Mr. Picerni rest in peace.
Posted by: Sheldon L. McCormick | 01/17/2011 at 03:59 PM
Your short truncated obituary about the late actor Paul Picerni hardly does justice to this truly amazing man. He was handsome, talented and highly adept at playing nuanced roles in everything from period Westerns and wartime dramas to frothy musicals and romantic comedies. Frequently cast in ethnic roles, mostly as Italians, he held his own in multiple dramatic scenes opposite such Hollywood stalwarts as John Wayne, Randolph Scott, William Holden, Burt Lancaster, and Errol Flynn. Because Picerni was both an excellent and subtle actor, he could be counted on to bring a range of emotions to his many and varied roles, which won him the friendship and support of important writers such as Crane Wilbur, as well as the veteran directors Lewis Seiler and Gordon Douglas, who used him to good effect in many films. Strong featured and manly, with curly dark hair and a dimpled chin, Picerni was freqently paired on screen with such stern actors as Steve Cochran, Frank Lovejoy, and Philip Carey. Very few actors today can match Picerni for his humor, professionalism and longevity. I hope Robert Osborne at Turner Classic Movies pays tribute to Paul Picerni, a remarkable actor, who was a star in his own right, both in classic movies and the golden era of television.
Posted by: Howard | 01/17/2011 at 06:09 PM
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Posted by: Rodney | 01/19/2011 at 11:51 AM