Frank Ray Perilli (August 30, 1925 – March 8, 2018) was an American screenwriter with more than 15 screen credits, and a playwright of four stage plays. He began his career as a standup comic in the mob-controlled nightclubs of Chicago’s North Side, and made appearances on major television shows of the day such as ''

The Ed Sullivan Show ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York City, New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the ''CB ...

''. His acting career included more than a dozen feature films, some of which he wrote and/or produced. He was also a comedy writer for

Don Rickles Donald Jay Rickles (May 8, 1926 – April 6, 2017) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was known primarily for his insult comedy. His film roles include ''Run Silent, Run Deep (film), Run Silent, Run Deep'' (1958), ''Enter Laughing ...

Shecky Greene Shecky Greene (born Fred Sheldon Greenfield; April 8, 1926 – December 31, 2023) was an American comedian and actor. He was known for his nightclub performances in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he became a headliner in the 1950s and 1960s. He appea ...

, and

Lenny Bruce Leonard Alfred Schneider (October 13, 1925 – August 3, 1966), better known by his stage name Lenny Bruce, was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, and satirist. He was renowned for his open, free-wheeling, and critical style of come ...

, among others, and at times a manager for Greene and Bruce. His biography, ''The Candy Butcher'' by William Karl Thomas, was released in 2016 by Media Maestro-Book Division. He is known for such films as ''

She Came to the Valley ''She Came to the Valley'' is a western-genre film, shot in 1977 and released in 1979. Directed by Albert Band, it stars Ronee Blakley, Scott Glenn, Freddy Fender, and Dean Stockwell. It is based on a novel by Cleo Dawson. Plot A poor family tha ...

'', '' End of the World'', ''

Laserblast ''Laserblast'' is a 1978 American independent science fiction film directed by Michael Rae and produced by Charles Band, widely known for producing B movies. Starring Kim Milford, Cheryl Smith and Gianni Russo, featuring Keenan Wynn and Rodd ...

'', '' Mansion of the Doomed'' and ''

Alligator An alligator, or colloquially gator, is a large reptile in the genus ''Alligator'' of the Family (biology), family Alligatoridae in the Order (biology), order Crocodilia. The two Extant taxon, extant species are the American alligator (''A. mis ...

''.

Actor

He had a role in as a jail officer in the 1993 film '' The Fugitive''. In 1995, he played the role of BJ in ''

Steal Big Steal Little ''Steal Big Steal Little'' is a 1995 American comedy film directed by Andrew Davis and starring Andy García in dual roles. It also features Alan Arkin and Joe Pantoliano. Plot Mild-mannered, unassuming Ruben Martinez has a slick, unscrupulous ...

''.

Writer

Along with Franne Schacht, he wrote the story for ''

'' which starred

Kim Milford Richard Kim Milford (February 7, 1951 – June 16, 1988), known professionally as Kim Milford, was an American actor, singer-songwriter, and composer. He was known for his stage acting in musicals such as ''Rocky Horror Show, The Rocky Horro ...

, Cheryl Smith,

Gianni Russo Gianni Vito Russo (born December 12, 1943) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in the 1972 film ''The Godfather''. Life and career Russo was born in Manhattan on December 12, 1943 and raised in Little Italy and R ...

, and

Roddy McDowall Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 3 October 1998) was a British-American actor whose career spanned over 270 screen and stage roles across over 60 years. Born in London, he began his acting career as a child in his n ...

. He has also worked with

Michael Pataki Michael Pataki (January 16, 1938 – April 15, 2010) was an American actor of stage, film and television.Obituary ''Los Angeles Times'', May 5, 2010; p. AA7. Early life Pataki was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Hungarian parents, the youngest ...

on more than one occasion.

Work with Albert Band

Perilli has worked with director

Albert Band Albert Band (born Alfredo Antonini; May 7, 1924 – June 14, 2002) was a French-born American film director and film producer. He was the son of artist Max Band, father of filmmaker Charles Band and of film composer Richard Band and the grandfath ...

on more than one occasion. With Louis A. Garfinkle, he wrote the story for the 1973 film ''

Little Cigars ''Little Cigars'' is a film released in 1973 by American International Pictures and was directed by Chris Christenberry. The film was also released in the United States as ''The Little Cigars Mob''. Plot A gang of dwarves team up with a gan ...

'' which Chris Christenberry directed and Albert Band produced. It starred

Angel Tompkins Angel Tompkins is an American actress and model. She appeared in several films and television shows, and is a Golden Globe nominee. Career Angel Tompkins's performance in the comedy ''I Love My Wife'' (1970), resulted in her being nominated for ...

as a beautiful lady who teamed up with a group of midgets. More work with Band came in 1977, with ''

Dracula's Dog ''Dracula's Dog'', also known as ''Zoltan... Hound of Dracula'', is a 1977 American supernatural horror film directed by Albert Band and starring Michael Pataki and José Ferrer. Its plot revolves around a Doberman Pinscher who is turned into ...

''. They also worked together on the western ''She Came to the Valley''. In 1993, it was '' Joey Takes a Cab''.

Filmography

References

External links

* *
'The Candy Butcher', a biography of Frank Ray Perilli by William Karl Thomas 2016
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perilli, Frank Ray American male film actors American film producers Film directors from Illinois American male screenwriters 1925 births 2018 deaths