RIP Screen Veteran Robert Loggia, 1930-2015

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Robert Loggia, the man who played the memorable piano duet with Tom Hanks in ‘Big,’ has died aged 85, multiple sources report.

Born Salvatore Loggia on Staten Island, New York in January 1930, Loggia first found fame in TV, appearing in shows including ‘Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,’ ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ and ‘The Untouchables.’

As a commanding Italian-American actor, it was perhaps inevitable that many gangster roles came his way, in the likes of Brian De Palma’s classic ‘Scarface,’ John Huston’s ‘Prizzi’s Honor,’ two films in the ‘Pink Panther’ series, John Candy action comedy ‘Armed and Dangerous,’ vampire gangster movie ‘Innocent Blood,’ TV’s ‘The Sopranos,’ and his final role in the as-yet unreleased ‘Sicilian Vampire.’

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But for many, Loggia will be most fondly remembered as Mr MacMillan, the toy company boss who takes Tom Hanks’ boy-in-a-man’s-body under his wing in 1988′s ‘Big.’

The role earned Loggia a Saturn award for Best Supporting Actor. He also received a best supporting actor Oscar nod for 1985′s ‘Jagged Edge.’

Other roles included ‘An Officer and a Gentleman,’ ‘Over the Top,’ ‘Bad Girls’ and ‘Independence Day.’

Picture Credit: 20th Century Fox, WENN

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