William Edward Hickey (September 19, 1927 – June 29, 1997) was an American actor. He is best known for his

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

-nominated role as Don Corrado Prizzi in the

John Huston John Marcellus Huston ( ; August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter, actor and visual artist. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered ...

film ''

Prizzi's Honor ''Prizzi's Honor'' is a 1985 American black comedy crime film directed by John Huston, starring Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner as two highly-skilled mob assassins who, after falling in love, are hired to kill each other. The screenplay co-w ...

'' (1985), as well as Uncle Lewis in ''

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'' is a 1989 American Christmas film, Christmas comedy film and the third installment in National Lampoon (magazine), ''National Lampoon'' magazine's National Lampoon's Vacation (film series), ''Vacation'' f ...

'' (1989) and the voice of Dr. Finklestein in

Tim Burton Timothy Walter Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for his gothic fantasy and horror films such as '' Beetlejuice'' (1988), '' Edward Scissorhands'' (1990), '' The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (1993 ...

's ''

The Nightmare Before Christmas ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (also known as ''Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas'') is a 1993 American stop-motion Stop motion is an animated filmmaking technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increme ...

'' (1993).

Early life

Hickey was born in

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

, New York, the son of Edward and Nora Hickey, both of Irish descent. He had an older sister, Dorothy Finn. Hickey began acting on

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a tr ...

in 1938. He grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn, and

Richmond Hill, Queens Richmond Hill is a commercial and residential neighborhood located in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Queens. The area borders Kew Gardens and Forest Park to the north, Jamaica and South Jamaica to the east, South Ozone ...

Career

Hickey had a long, distinguished career in film, television and stage. He began his career as a child actor on the variety stage and made his Broadway debut as a walk-on in the 1951 production of

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...

's '' Saint Joan'', starring

Uta Hagen Uta Thyra Hagen (12 June 1919 – 14 January 2004) was a German-American actress and theatre practitioner. She originated the role of Martha in the 1962 Broadway premiere of ''Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'' by Edward Albee, who called her "a ...

. He performed often during the

golden age of television The first Golden Age of Television is an era of television in the United States marked by its large number of live productions. The period is generally recognized as beginning in 1947 with the first episode of the drama anthology '' Kraft Televi ...

, including appearances on Studio One and Philco Playhouse. His most important contribution to the arts, however, remains his teaching career at the

HB Studio The HB Studio (Herbert Berghof Studio) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization offering professional training in the performing arts through classes, workshops, free lectures, theater productions, theater rentals, a theater artist residency progra ...

in Greenwich Village, founded by

Herbert Berghof Herbert Berghof (13 September 1909 – 5 November 1990) was an Austrian-American actor, director and acting teacher.Kennedy, Dennis. ''The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance'', Oxford Univ. Press (2010) p. 61 Early life Born and educ ...

George Segal George Segal Jr. (February 13, 1934 – March 23, 2021) was an American actor. He became popular in the 1960s and 1970s for playing both dramatic and comedic roles. After first rising to prominence with roles in acclaimed films such as ''Ship o ...

, Jeanie Columbo, Sandy Dennis,

Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand (; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment, and is among the few performers awar ...

, Cyprienne Gabel and Sandra McClain all studied under him. He kept a flask behind the sink in the basement studio of HB where he taught. He stated it helped him cope with bad acting. He was a staple of

Ben Bagley Ben Bagley (October 18, 1933 – March 21, 1998) was an American musical producer and record producer. Career Born in Burlington, Vermont, Bagley moved to New York during the early 1950s, and in 1955, at age 22, he produced his first hit, ''Shoes ...

's New York musical revues, he can be heard on several of the recordings, notably ''Decline and Fall of the Entire World as Seen Through the Eyes of Cole Porter''. Hickey enjoyed a career in film, television and theater. In addition to his work as an actor, he was a respected teacher of the craft. Notable for his unique, gravelly voice and somewhat offbeat appearance, Hickey, in his later years, was often cast in "cantankerous-but-clever old man" roles. His characters, who sometimes exuded an underlying air of the macabre, usually had the last laugh over their more sprightly co-stars. One of his early roles was a suspect in the 1968 film '' The Boston Strangler''. His most notable onscreen role was that of the gravelly voiced Don Corrado Prizzi in ''

'' (1985), for which he was nominated for the

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role while worki ...

. Hickey portrayed Don Corrado as sharp-witted and cunning, despite his frail physical state, and shared key scenes with

Anjelica Huston Anjelica Huston ( ; born July 8, 1951) is an American actress and director. Known for often portraying eccentric and distinctive characters, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nom ...

and

Jack Nicholson John Joseph Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an American retired actor and filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time. In many of his films, he played rebels against the social structure. He received numerous ...

Death

Hickey died from

emphysema Emphysema, or pulmonary emphysema, is a lower respiratory tract disease, characterised by air-filled spaces ( pneumatoses) in the lungs, that can vary in size and may be very large. The spaces are caused by the breakdown of the walls of the alv ...

and

bronchitis Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi (large and medium-sized airways) in the lungs that causes coughing. Bronchitis usually begins as an infection in the nose, ears, throat, or sinuses. The infection then makes its way down to the bronchi. ...

in 1997. His remains are interred in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in

. He died during the filming of

Uzo Uzo or Uzō may refer to: People * Uzo Asonye, American attorney * Uzō Nishiyama (1911–1994), Japanese architect * Uzo Egonu (1931–1996), Nigerian artist * Uzo (filmmaker) (born 1957), Nigerian filmmaker * Uzo Iwobi (born 1969), British-Nig ...

's '' Better Than Ever'', and his role was played by the producer in a pick-up shot depicting his character in the hospital. His final movie, '' Knocking on Death's Door'' (in which he plays the town sheriff), was released nearly two years after his death. The movie ''

Mouse Hunt ''Mouse Hunt'' is a 1997 American slapstick black comedy film written by Adam Rifkin and directed by Gore Verbinski in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Maury Chaykin, and Christopher Walken. The film follow ...

'' (in which he also appeared) is dedicated to his memory.

Notable credits

New York City theatre

*'' Miss Lonelyhearts'' (1957) *'' The Body Beautiful'' (1958) *'' Happy Birthday, Wanda June'' (1970) *'' Small Craft Warnings'' (1972) *''

Mourning Becomes Electra ''Mourning Becomes Electra'' is a play cycle written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. The play premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on 26 October 1931 where it ran for 150 performances before closing in March 1932, starring Lee Baker ...

'' (1972) *''

Thieves Theft is the act of taking another person's property or services without that person's permission or consent with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it. The word ''theft'' is also used as a synonym or informal shorthand term for some ...

'' (1974) *'' Arsenic and Old Lace'' (1986)

Film

*'' A Hatful of Rain'' (1957) – Apples (film debut) *''

Operation Mad Ball ''Operation Mad Ball'' is a 1957 military comedy from Columbia Pictures, produced by Jed Harris, directed by Richard Quine, that stars Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Kathryn Grant, Arthur O'Connell, and Mickey Rooney. The screenplay is by Blake Edw ...

'' (1957) – G.I. Sampson (uncredited) *'' Something Wild'' (1961) – Bit Part (uncredited) *'' Invitation to a Gunfighter'' (1964) – Jo-Jo *'' The Producers'' (1967) – The Drunk in bar (credited as "Bill Hickey") *'' The Boston Strangler'' (1968) – Eugene T O'Rourke *'' Little Big Man'' (1970) – Historian *'' A New Leaf'' (1971) – Smith (uncredited) *''The Telephone Book'' (1971) – Man in Bed *'' Happy Birthday, Wanda June'' (1971) – Looseleaf Harper *'' 92 In The Shade'' (1975) – Mr. Skelton *'' Mikey & Nicky'' (1976) – Sid Fine *'' The Sentinel'' (1977) – Perry, a shady locksmith *'' Nunzio'' (1978) *'' Wise Blood'' (1979) – Preacher *''

A Stranger Is Watching ''A Stranger Is Watching'' (1977) is a suspense novel by Mary Higgins Clark. Plot summary The main characters in the novel are Steve Peterson, whose wife Nina was murdered two years before, his six-year-old son Neil, who witnessed the murder, an ...

'' (1982) – Maxi *''

'' (1985) – Don Corrado Prizzi *'' Walls of Glass'' (1985) – Papa *'' Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins'' (1985) – The Coney Island Barker *''

One Crazy Summer ''One Crazy Summer'' is a 1986 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Savage Steve Holland, and starring John Cusack, Demi Moore, Bobcat Goldthwait, Curtis Armstrong and Joel Murray. The original film score was composed by Cory Ler ...

'' (1986) – Old Man Beckersted *'' Seize the Day'' (1986) – Perls *'' Stranded'' (1986, TV movie) - Mr. Pierson *''

The Name of the Rose ''The Name of the Rose'' ( it, Il nome della rosa ) is the 1980 debut novel by Italian author Umberto Eco. It is a historical murder mystery set in an Italian monastery in the year 1327, and an intellectual mystery combining semiotics in ficti ...

'' (1986) –

Ubertino da Casale Ubertino of Casale (1259 – c. 1329) was an Italian Franciscan and one of the leaders (together with Michael of Cesena) of the Spirituals, the stricter branch of the Franciscan order. Life Ubertino was born in Casale Monferrato. He assumed the ...

*'' A Hobo's Christmas'' (1987, TV movie) – Cincinnati Harold *'' Bright Lights, Big City'' (1988) – Ferret Man *'' Da'' (1988) – Drumm *''Starlight: A Musical Movie'' (1988) – Billy Davis *'' Pink Cadillac'' (1989) – Mr. Barton *''

Sea of Love Sea of Love may refer to * ''Sea of Love'' (film), a 1989 American thriller film * "Sea of Love" (Phil Phillips song), a 1959 song by Phil Phillips and The Twilights, covered by many performers * "Sea of Love" (The National song), 2013 * ''The S ...

'' (1989) – Frank Keller, Sr. *'' Puppet Master'' (1989) – André Toulon *''It Had to Be You'' (1989) – Schornberg *''

'' (1989) – Lewis Griswold (Better known as Uncle Lewis) *'' Tales from the Darkside: The Movie'' (1990) – Drogan (in the "Cat From Hell" segment) *''

Any Man's Death ''Any Man's Death'' is a 1990 South African thriller drama film directed by Tom Clegg and starring John Savage, William Hickey, Mia Sara and Ernest Borgnine. Plot An investigative journalist is sent to the volatile frontiers of Angola and ...

'' (1990) – Erich Schiller / Ernst Bauricke *'' My Blue Heaven'' (1990) – Billy Sparrow *''

Mob Boss A crime boss, also known as a crime lord, Don, gang lord, gang boss, mob boss, kingpin, godfather, crime mentor or criminal mastermind, is a person in charge of a criminal organization. Description A crime boss typically has absolute or nearl ...

'' (1990) – Don Anthony *''Sons'' (1990) – Roger *'' The Runestone'' (1991) – Lars Hagstrom *''

'' (1993) – Doctor Finklestein (voice) *''Hey Stranger'' (1994) – Major-domo *'' The Jerky Boys: The Movie'' (1995) – Don 'Uncle Freddy' Frederico *'' Major Payne'' (1995) – Dr. Phillips *'' Forget Paris'' (1995) – Arthur *''

The Maddening ''The Maddening'' is a 1995 psychological thriller film directed by Danny Huston. Based on a novel by Andrew Neiderman, published under the title ''Playmates'', this was a direct-to-video creepfest featuring Burt Reynolds and Angie Dickinson. ...

'' (1995) – Roy's deceased father *''

Love Is All There Is ''Love Is All There Is'' is a 1996 romantic comedy film written and directed by Joseph Bologna and Renée Taylor, who also both star in the film. Plot ''Love Is All There Is'' is a modern retelling of the ''Romeo and Juliet'' story, and it i ...

'' (1996) – Monsignor *'' Twisted'' (1996) – Andre *''

'' (1997) – Rudolf Smuntz (Released posthumously) *''Better Than Ever'' (1997) – Walter (Released posthumously) *''Knocking on Death's Door'' (1999) – Town Sheriff (Released posthumously) *''A tekerölantos naplója'' (1999) (Released posthumously)

Television

*''

Tales from the Darkside ''Tales from the Darkside'' is an American anthology horror TV series created by George A. Romero. Debuting in October 1983 with a pilot episode and then being picked up for syndication in September 1984, the show ran for 4 seasons through Ju ...

'' (Season three, Episode one, "The Circus") *''

Tales From The Crypt Tales from the Crypt may refer to: * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (album), by American rapper C-Bo * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (comics), published by EC Comics during the 1950s ** ''Tales from the Crypt'' (film), a 1972 Amicus film starring Ralph Ric ...

'' (Season Two, "The Switch") – Carlton Webster *'' Baby Talk'' – Mr. Fogarty *'' Between Time and Timbuktu'' – Stony Stevenson *'' The Equalizer'' – elderly blind con man *''

Moonlighting Moonlighting may refer to: * Side job, a job taken in addition to one's primary employment Entertainment * ''Moonlighting'' (film), a 1982 drama film by Jerzy Skolimowski * ''Moonlighting'' (TV series), 1985–1989 American television series, s ...

'' – Mr. Kendall *''

Miami Vice ''Miami Vice'' is an American crime drama television series created by Anthony Yerkovich and produced by Michael Mann (director), Michael Mann for NBC. The series stars Don Johnson as James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo ...

'' - (Season 5, "Victims of Circumstance") *'' The Outer Limits'' – (Episode "

White Light Fever This page is a list of the episodes of '' The Outer Limits'', a 1995 science fiction/dark fantasy television series. The series was broadcast on Showtime from 1995 to 2000, and on the Sci Fi Channel in its final year (2001–2002). Series overv ...

") *''

Wings A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expre ...

'' – Carlton Blanchard *'' The Adventures of Pete & Pete'' – Grandpa Wrigley *'' Spenser: For Hire'' – Gus Harley *''The Twilight Zone'' *''Appearances'' in '' L.A. Law'', ''

The Phil Silvers Show ''The Phil Silvers Show'', originally titled ''You'll Never Get Rich'', is a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959. A pilot titled "Audition Show" was made in 1955, but it was never broadcast. 143 other episodes were broadcast – all half-a ...

'', ''

Tales from the Crypt Tales from the Crypt may refer to: * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (album), by American rapper C-Bo * ''Tales from the Crypt'' (comics), published by EC Comics during the 1950s ** ''Tales from the Crypt'' (film), a 1972 Amicus film starring Ralph Ric ...

'', ''

'', '' Crime Story'', '' The Tracey Ullman Show'', ''

'', '' Spenser: For Hire'', ''The Twilight Zone''

Awards

John Gielgud Sir Arthur John Gielgud, (; 14 April 1904 – 21 May 2000) was an English actor and theatre director whose career spanned eight decades. With Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier, he was one of the trinity of actors who dominated the Brit ...

won both awards for his performances in '' Plenty'' and '' The Shooting Party''.

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Hickey, William 1927 births 1997 deaths American male film actors American male television actors Burials at the Cemetery of the Evergreens Deaths from emphysema American male voice actors American people of Irish descent People from Flatbush, Brooklyn Male actors from New York City 20th-century American male actors People from Richmond Hill, Queens American male child actors