Anthony Peter Musante Jr. (June 30, 1936 – November 26, 2013) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

actor, best known for the TV series '' Toma'' as Detective David Toma, Nino Schibetta in '' Oz'' (1997), and Joe D'Angelo in ''

As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other s ...

'' (2000-2003). In movies, he achieved fame relatively early in his career, starring or having significant roles in such films as '' Once a Thief'' (1965), '' The Incident'' (1967), '' The Detective'' (1968) and '' The Last Run'' (1971), and also in a number of Italian productions, including '' The Mercenary'' (1968), ''

Metti, una sera a cena ''Metti, una sera a cena'' (a.k.a. "Love Circle", literally "Let's Say, an Evening for Dinner") is a 1969 Italian drama film directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi. It was entered into the 1969 Cannes Film Festival. Plot Michel (Jean-Louis Trinti ...

'' (1969) and ''

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage ''The Bird with the Crystal Plumage'' () is a 1970 giallo film directed by Dario Argento, in his directorial debut. The film has been credited with popularizing giallo, an Italian genre of thriller developed in the 1960s. It is the first in what ...

'' (1970).

Life and career

Musante was born in

Bridgeport, Connecticut Bridgeport is the most populous city and a major port in the U.S. state of Connecticut. With a population of 148,654 in 2020, it is also the fifth-most populous in New England. Located in eastern Fairfield County at the mouth of the Pequo ...

, into an Italian-American family, the son of Natalie Anne (''née'' Salerno), a school teacher, and Anthony Peter Musante, an accountant. He attended

Oberlin College Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Oberlin, Ohio. It is the oldest coeducational liberal arts college in the United States and the second oldest continuously operating coeducational institute of highe ...

and

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

. Musante acted in numerous

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

s, in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

and elsewhere, including

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

. Among his body of work are the 1973

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

'' Toma'' (predecessor to ''

Baretta ''Baretta'' is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a revised and milder version of a 1973–1974 ABC series, '' Toma'', starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey pol ...

'') and the

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio drama ...

'', and the 1975

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

play, '' P. S. Your Cat Is Dead!'', for which he was nominated for a

Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. F ...

. ''Toma'' did well in the ratings despite tough opposition, but Musante insisted upon leaving the series after one year, as was permitted by his contract. The series was revised as ''Baretta'', with Robert Blake in the lead role, and it was a success. At the time of his death, ''The New York Times'' referred to ''Toma'' as "the show that got away." But Musante never regretted leaving the series, despite sacrificing money and fame. He was nominated for an

Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

for his work in a 1975 episode of '' Medical Center'', ''A Quality of Mercy''. Musante also played

Nino Schibetta The characters of '' Oz'', fictional characters on the television series about prison life, are a diverse mixture of inmates from various gangs and prison staff. Main inmates Key Other inmates The Aryans The Aryans are a f ...

, a feared

Mafia "Mafia" is an informal term that is used to describe criminal organizations that bear a strong similarity to the original “Mafia”, the Sicilian Mafia and Italian Mafia. The central activity of such an organization would be the arbitration of d ...

boss and the Italian gang leader inside of Emerald City during the first season of the HBO television series '' Oz''.

Death

Musante died of a hemorrhage, following oral surgery on November 26, 2013, aged 77, in

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

Filmography

* '' The DuPont Show of the Week: Ride with Terror'' (1963, TV series episode) - Joe Ferrone * ''

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre ''Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre'' is an American anthology series, sponsored by Chrysler Corporation, which ran on NBC from 1963 through 1967. The show was hosted by Bob Hope, but it had a variety of formats, including musical, dramatic ...

: A Wind of Hurricane Force'' (1964, TV series episode) - Major DeGuisado * ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was r ...

: Memo from Purgatory'' (1964, TV series episode) - Candle * '' Once a Thief'' (1965) - Cleveland 'Cleve' Shoenstein * ''

The Trials of O'Brien ''The Trials of O'Brien'' is a 1965 television series starring Peter Falk as sordid, Shakespeare-quoting lawyer Daniel O'Brien, and featuring Elaine Stritch as his secretary and Joanna Barnes as his ex-wife. The series ran for 22 episodes on C ...

: Bargain Day on the Street of Regret'' (1965, TV series episode) - Coley Thomas * ''

: The Blue Steel Suite'' (1966, TV series episode) - Callison * '' The Fugitive: The Blessings of Liberty'' (1966, TV series episode) - Billy Karnes * '' The Incident'' (1967) - Joe Ferrone * '' The Detective'' (1968) - Felix * '' The Mercenary'' (Italy, 1968) - Paco Román * ''

'' (Italy, 1969) - Max * ''

'' (Italy, 1970) - Sam Dalmas * '' The Anonymous Venetian'' (Italy, 1970) - Enrico * '' Grissom Gang'' (1971) - Eddie Hagan * '' The Last Run'' (1971) - Paul Rickard * ''

Il caso Pisciotta ''Il caso Pisciotta'' (''The Pisciotta Case'') is a 1972 Italian historical drama film written and directed by Eriprando Visconti. It is based on actual events involving Gaspare Pisciotta, lieutenant of the bandit Salvatore Giuliano, and his death ...

'' (Italy, 1972) - Francesco Scauri * ''

Marcus Welby, M.D. Marcus, Markus, Márkus or Mărcuș may refer to: * Marcus (name), a masculine given name * Marcus (praenomen), a Roman personal name Places * Marcus, a main belt asteroid, also known as (369088) Marcus 2008 GG44 * Mărcuş, a village in Dobârl ...

: The Tall Tree'' (1973, TV series episode) - David * '' Toma'' (1973–1974, TV series, 23 episodes) - Det. David Toma * '' Police Story: Fathers and Sons'' (1974, TV series episode) - Joe Basic * ' (1975, TV film) - Lt.

William Calley William Laws Calley Jr. (born June 8, 1943) is a former American army officer and war criminal convicted by court-martial for the premeditated killings of 200 to 400 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians in the Mỹ Lai massacre on March 16, 1968, d ...

* ''

The Rockford Files ''The Rockford Files'' is an American detective drama television series starring James Garner that aired on the NBC network from September 13, 1974 to January 10, 1980, and remains in syndication. Garner portrays Los Angeles private investiga ...

: Charlie Harris at Large'' (1975, TV series episode) - Charlie Harris * ''The Desperate Miles'' (1975, TV film) - Joe Larkin * ''

Medical Story ''Medical Story'' is an American anthology series that aired on NBC from September 4, 1975, until January 8, 1976. Premise This was an anthology series about issues in the medical field, making it into the medical equivalent of '' Police Story'' ...

: The God Syndrome'' (1975, TV series episode) - Dr. Paul Brandon * '' Police Story: Breaking Point'' (1975, TV series episode) - Sgt. Vince Della Maggiori * ''

: The Quality of Mercy'' (1976, TV series episode) - Dr. Hoffman * '' Origins of the Mafia'' (Italy, 1976, TV miniseries) - Michele Borello * '' Police Story: The Other Side of the Badge'' (1976, TV series episode) - Jack Mitchell * ' (1977, TV film) - Joey Faber * '' Goodbye & Amen'' (Italy, 1978) - John Dhannay * '' Break Up'' (Italy, 1978) - Paolo Naviase * ''

My Husband Is Missing My or MY may refer to: Arts and entertainment * My (radio station), a Malaysian radio station * Little My, a fictional character in the Moomins universe * ''My'' (album), by Edyta Górniak * ''My'' (EP), by Cho Mi-yeon Business * Marke ...

'' (1978, TV film) - Derek Mackenzie * ''Breaking Up Is Hard to Do'' (1979, TV film) - Sal Falcone * '' The Thirteenth Day: The Story of Esther'' (1979, TV film) - King

Ahasuerus Ahasuerus ( ; , commonly ''Achashverosh'';; fa, اخشورش, Axšoreš; fa, label= New Persian, خشایار, Xašāyār; grc, Ξέρξης, Xérxēs. grc, label= Koine Greek, Ἀσουήρος, Asouḗros, in the Septuagint; la, Assue ...

* '' High Ice'' (1980, TV film) - Lt. Col. Harris Thatcher * ''

American Playhouse ''American Playhouse'' is an American anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Overview It premiered on January 12, 1982, with ''The Shady Hill Kidnapping'', written and narrated by John Cheever an ...

: Weekend'' (1982, TV series episode) - George * ' (Italy, 1983) - Jurek Rudinski * ''

The Pope of Greenwich Village ''The Pope of Greenwich Village'' is a 1984 American crime black comedy film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Geraldine Page, Kenneth McMillan and Burt Young. Page was nominated for the Academy ...

'' (1984) - Pete * ''Rearview Mirror'' (1984, TV film) - Vince Martino * ''

MacGruder and Loud ''MacGruder and Loud'' is an American crime drama from Aaron Spelling Productions that aired on ABC from January 20 to April 30, 1985. Premise The series stars John Getz and Kathryn Harrold as married police officers Malcolm MacGruder and Jen ...

'' (1985, TV pilot episode) - Caferelli * '' The Trap'' (Italy, 1985) - Michael Parker * '' The Repenter'' (Italy, 1985) - Vanni Ragusa * '' The Equalizer: Pretenders'' (1986, TV series episode) - John Parker * '' Nutcracker: Money, Madness and Murder'' (1987, TV miniseries) - Vittorio * ''

Night Heat ''Night Heat'' is a Canadian police crime drama series that aired on both CTV in Canada and CBS in the United States. Original episodes were broadcast from 1985 to 1989. ''Night Heat'' was the first Canadian original drama series that was also a ...

: Grace '' (1987, TV series episode) - Roy Barnett * ''La collina del diavolo'' (Italy, 1988, TV film) - Daniele * ''

Jesse Hawkes ''Jesse Hawkes'' is an American action television series that on CBS aired from April 22 until May 27, 1989. The series is a spin-off of ''High Mountain Rangers''. Premise Jesse Hawkes and his two sons track down criminals in San Francisco with ...

: Little Girl Lost'' (1989, TV series episode) * ' (Italy, 1989, TV miniseries) - Kirk Mesana * '' Il barone'' (Italy, 1995, TV miniseries) - Baron Sajeva * ''

Deep Family Secrets ''Deep Family Secrets'' is a 1997 American drama television film directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman, that first aired on April 15, 1997 on the CBS television network. The film is based on the true story of Gaylynn Morris, who was found guilty fo ...

'' (1997, TV film) - Lennox * '' Oz'' (1997, TV series, 7 episodes) - Nino Schibetta * '' Nothing Sacred: Song of Songs'' (1997, TV series episode) - Gary * '' Exiled: A Law & Order Movie'' (1998, TV film) - Don Giancarlo Uzielli * ''

Acapulco H.E.A.T. ''Acapulco H.E.A.T.'' is a 1993 syndicated television series. It followed the adventures of the "Hemisphere Emergency Action Team" (H.E.A.T.), a group of top-secret agents based in Acapulco in Mexico, recruited by "C-5", a secret, inter-governmen ...

: Code Name Million Dollar Man'' (1998, TV series episode) - Rocco Santora * ''

The Deep End of the Ocean ''The Deep End of the Ocean'' is a best-selling novel by Jacquelyn Mitchard, released in 1996. It is about an American middle class, suburban family that is torn apart when the youngest son is kidnapped and raised by a mentally ill woman, u ...

'' (1999) - Angelo Cappadora * ' (1999, TV miniseries) - Duraid Al Simma * ''

The Yards ''The Yards'' is a 2000 American crime film directed by James Gray, written by Gray and Matt Reeves, and starring Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron and James Caan. Set in the commuter rail yards in New York City ("the yards"), ...

'' (2000) - Seymour Korman * '' Un bacio nel buio'' (Italy, 2000, TV miniseries) * ''

'' (2000–2003, TV series) - Joe D'Angelo * ''

100 Centre Street ''100 Centre Street'' is an American legal drama created by Sidney Lumet and starring Alan Arkin, Val Avery, Bobby Cannavale, Joel de la Fuente and Paula Devicq. Premise The show takes its name for the Manhattan street address of the New York Ci ...

'' (2001, TV series, 3 episodes) - Albert Esposito * ''

Life as It Comes ''Life as It Comes'' ( it, La vita come viene) is a 2003 Italian drama film directed by Stefano Incerti. Cast *Claudio Santamaria: Marco *Valeria Bruni Tedeschi: Paola *Stefania Sandrelli: Meri *Daniele Liotti: Max *Alessandro Haber: Beppe * ...

'' (Italy, 2003) - Karl, the Professor * ''

Traffic Traffic comprises pedestrians, vehicles, ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads) for travel and transportation. Traffic laws govern and regulate traffic, while rules of the road include traffic ...

'' (2004, TV miniseries) - Alex Edmonds * ' (Italy, 2004) - Amilcare * ' (Italy, 2007, TV miniseries) - Alpius * '' We Own the Night'' (2007) - Jack Shapiro * ' (Italy, 2013, TV miniseries) - Don Luigi Vitiello

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Musante, Tony 1936 births 2013 deaths American people of Italian descent American male film actors American male television actors Oberlin College alumni Male actors from Bridgeport, Connecticut Northwestern University School of Communication alumni