Tony Lo Bianco, celebrated for his performance in the Oscar-winning thriller “The French Connection,” has passed away at the age of 87. According to his representatives, Lo Bianco died on Tuesday night at his Maryland horse farm after a prolonged fight with prostate cancer. His wife, Alyse, was by his side during his final moments, they told Fox News via email.
Best known for his portrayal of Sal Boca in “The French Connection,” Lo Bianco’s extensive career spanned several decades, starting in the 1960s and covering both cinema and stage. His filmography includes memorable roles in “Bloodbrothers” and “City Heat,” where he often embraced characters that reflected his Italian-American background.
“To me, everything is a lesson,” Lo Bianco reflected during a 2023 interview with La Nostra Voce. “Ms. Jacobson taught me awareness on stage. How to sit, how to move, how to pull the audience in.”
Despite a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s that didn’t lead to a baseball career, by 1971, Lo Bianco had secured a significant role alongside Gene Hackman in “The French Connection.” The film’s success at the Oscars, snagging awards for Best Picture and Best Director, underscored Lo Bianco’s acclaimed performance. His earlier role in the 1970 cult hit “The Honeymoon Killers” was pivotal in expanding his acting opportunities.
“For Honeymoon Killers, they wanted to cast a guy with a Spanish accent,” Lo Bianco said. “I’m Italian American, but I took on a Spanish accent and landed the role. Everybody thought it was genuine, then they heard my real voice one day on set, they couldn’t believe it.”
“I’ve worn a lot of faces, and to me, acting was always about human connection — it’s the only thing that matters,” he added.
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Lo Bianco also recalled a remarkable evening in New York City, where he unexpectedly spent hours conversing with Frank Sinatra and his wife, Nancy. “We talked the whole night, about everything. The business, growing up, family. Sinatra put his arm around me at one point and asked when he and I were going to work together. Just hearing those words, oh can you imagine it?” he said with enthusiasm.
Additionally, Lo Bianco’s commitment to the arts extended beyond film. He was deeply involved in numerous theatrical productions, including a notable one-man show portraying Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia in “Hizzoner!” His work as a director and producer further solidified his influential presence in the arts community, where he championed various initiatives to promote theater.