Actor Frank Vallelonga Jr., known for appearing in the Oscar-winning movie Green Book, has died. The NYPD responded to reports of an unconscious man on the street in the Bronx, and when officers arrived, they determined that the individual was deceased. He was then identified as Vallelonga, but a cause of death wasn't immediately apparent and is pending the results of the Medical Examiner's investigation. Vallelonga was 60 years old.
Determining that the actor's body had been dumped in the area, police arrested a suspect believed to be involved. Reportedly, the suspect told police that Vallelonga died of an overdose. For now, the unidentified suspect has been criminally charged with concealment of a corpse. It was also noted that the suspect had been driving a car that belonged to Nick Vallelonga, Frank's brother and a Green Book producer and co-writer. Nick Vallelonga is said to have told police that the suspect didn't have permission or authority to drive his car.
Per Deadline, a statement from the NYPD reads, "Upon arrival, police observed an unidentified adult male, unconscious and unresponsive, on the ground at the location. The male had no obvious signs of trauma observed. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the male deceased at the scene. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing.”
Frank Vallelonga Jr. Played His Uncle In Green Book
Part of a show business family, Frank is the son of actor Tony Lip, who played mob boss Carmine Lupertazzi in The Sopranos; Lip, whose real name was Frank Vallelonga Sr., passed away in 2013. The late actor's story served as the inspiration for the 2018 movie Green Book, which starred Viggo Mortensen as the elder Vallelonga. Frank Vallelonga Jr. had a notable role in the film playing his own uncle, Rudy Vallelonga. Nick Vallelonga co-wrote the script with Bryan Hayes Currie and director Peter Farrelly. The movie, also starring Mahershala Ali and Linda Cardellini, was a big hit, going on to win Oscars for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Ali.
Frank Vallelonga Jr. would also make an appearance in The Sopranos as well as other various roles. This includes roles in the films A Brilliant Disguise, In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King, The Signs of the Cross, and All In. Vallelonga also appeared in the TV shows The Neighborhood and Gravesend. His final role was for the 2021 movie The Birthday Cake with him as the character Uncle Luca.
Our thoughts are with Vallelonga's family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.