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Al Ruscio

Al Ruscio built the kind of acting career that reveals itself one role at a time. Working across film, television and theatre, he became a familiar presence through guest appearances, recurring parts and supporting performances rather than a single defining lead role. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, on June 2, 1924, Ruscio graduated from Salem High School and served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. After college, he moved to New York City, where he trained for two years at the Neighborhood Playhouse School for the Theatre. He performed on New York stages and in summer stock, including productions with Steve McQueen and Kim Stanley, before finding his first live television work in the city. Ruscio moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and played Tony in Al Capone, starring Rod Steiger. Television soon became a major part of his career. Early credits included Gunsmoke, 77 Sunset Strip, Bonanza and Peter Gunn, followed by repeated appearances on series such as The Lawless Years, The Untouchables, The Rockford Files, Lou Grant, Barney Miller, Hill Street Blues, The A-Team and 7th Heaven. He also held recurring roles on Falcon Crest, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Life Goes On and Manhattan, AZ. Although guest roles were his usual territory, Ruscio co-starred in the short-lived series Shannon, Steambath and Joe’s Life. His television work also extended to the soap operas Port Charles, Days of Our Lives and Santa Barbara. On film, Ruscio appeared in Any Which Way You Can, Jagged Edge, The Godfather Part III, Guilty by Suspicion, Showgirls and The Phantom. Together, those credits reflect a career marked by range and persistence: decades spent moving comfortably between crime stories, dramas, comedies, soaps and action entertainment. Ruscio died in 2013.