Alex Rocco

Date of Birth: February 29, 1936

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: July 18, 2015

Biography

Alex Rocco, born Alessandro Federico Petricone Jr., was an American actor known for his tough-guy roles in film and television. He was born on February 29, 1936, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Rocco’s early life was marked by his involvement with local gangs, but he eventually left that world behind to pursue an acting career. He moved to Los Angeles, where he studied acting under Leonard Nimoy, who became his mentor. Rocco’s breakthrough role came in 1972 when he portrayed Moe Greene, a Las Vegas mobster, in Francis Ford Coppola’s classic film “The Godfather.” This role cemented his reputation as a talented and versatile character actor. Over the years, he appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including “The Friends of Eddie Coyle,” “Freebie and the Bean,” “The Stunt Man,” and “That Thing You Do!” On television, Rocco was known for his roles in “The Famous Teddy Z,” for which he won an Emmy Award, as well as “The Simpsons,” where he voiced the character of Roger Meyers Jr., the head of Itchy and Scratchy Studios. He also had recurring roles in series like “Magic City” and “The Division.” Rocco was married twice, first to Grace Petricone, with whom he had a son, and later to actress Shannon Wilcox, with whom he had a daughter. He passed away on July 18, 2015, at the age of 79.

5 Interesting Facts about Alex Rocco

1. Alex Rocco was involved with the Winter Hill Gang in Boston before he pursued acting.

2. He studied acting under Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in “Star Trek.”

3. Rocco won an Emmy Award for his role in the TV series “The Famous Teddy Z.”

4. He voiced the character of Roger Meyers Jr. on “The Simpsons.”

5. Rocco had a distinctive gravelly voice, which made him a popular choice for tough-guy roles.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alex Rocco

1. “I never let the character actor label bother me. I was always proud to be a working actor.”

2. “Leonard Nimoy taught me everything I know about acting. He was my mentor and my friend.”

3. “The Godfather was a turning point in my career. Playing Moe Greene opened so many doors for me.”

4. “I loved voicing Roger Meyers Jr. on ‘The Simpsons.’ It was one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had.”

5. “Winning the Emmy for ‘The Famous Teddy Z’ was a highlight of my career. It was an honor to be recognized for my work.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Alex Rocco’s net worth was estimated to be around $6 million.

Children

Alex Rocco had two children. His son, Marc Rocco, from his first marriage to Grace Petricone, was a film director and screenwriter. His daughter, Jennifer Rocco, from his second marriage to Shannon Wilcox, is a writer.