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Tony Longo
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Anthony Longo (August 19, 1961 – June 20, 2015) was an American actor who appeared in seventy films and nearly ninety television shows.
Key Information
Early life and education
[edit]Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Longo attended Marist High School in Bayonne, New Jersey, and the University of Rhode Island.[2]
Career
[edit]Because of his 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 300 lb (140 kg) frame, Longo was often chosen for roles that depict him as an imposing giant with freakish strength, and sub-standard intelligence, such as Mad Dog in the 1980s comedy/drama 1st and Ten where he was a linebacker for the fictional football team, the California Bulls. Mad Dog was paired with fellow linebacker Dr. Death, played by actor Donald Gibb who has had a career playing similar roles as Longo. He also appeared in Suburban Commando starring Hulk Hogan as a bounty hunter alongside The Undertaker.
Longo appeared in numerous television series, including The Equalizer, Family Matters, The Facts of Life, Laverne & Shirley, Simon & Simon, Alice, Perfect Strangers, High Tide, Renegade, Sydney, Las Vegas, Six Feet Under, Drake & Josh, and Monk.
His film credits include Sixteen Candles, Mulholland Drive, Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw, The Last Boy Scout, the 1994 version of Angels in the Outfield, The Cooler, Eraser, Suburban Commando, and The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.
Death
[edit]Longo died in his sleep at his home in Marina del Rey, California, on June 21, 2015, at the age of 53 after a long battle with congestive heart failure and kidney issues. He was survived by his daughters Chloe Longo and Danielle Schramm, his stepdaughter Alexis Dejoria, and his wife of 23 years, Jamie Briggs.[1][3]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]- 1981: Tarzan, the Ape Man as Stunts (uncredited)
- 1982: Pink Motel as Mark
- 1983: The Vals as Mike, Fraternity President
- 1984: Splash as Augie
- 1984: Sixteen Candles as 'Rock'
- 1985: Fletch as Detective #1
- 1985: Stitches as Student Jock
- 1987: Winners Take All as 'Bear' Nolan
- 1987: In the Mood as Carlo, Judy's Husband
- 1988: Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw as Big Paw (voice)
- 1988: Illegally Yours as Konrat
- 1988: Feds as Sailor
- 1989: Bloodhounds of Broadway as 'Crunch' Sweeney
- 1989: Let It Ride as Simpson
- 1989: Worth Winning as Terry Childs
- 1989: Think Big as Supervisor
- 1990: Mr. Destiny as Huge Guy
- 1991: The Marrying Man as Sam
- 1991: Suburban Commando as 'Knuckles'
- 1991: The Art of Dying as Victor
- 1991: The Last Boy Scout as Ray 'Big Ray' Walton
- 1992: Unlawful Entry as Angelo 'Big Angelo'
- 1992: Rapid Fire as Brunner Gazzi
- 1993: Prehysteria! as Louis
- 1993: Remote as Louis
- 1994: Angels in the Outfield as Triscuitt Messmer
- 1995: Houseguest as Joey Gasperini
- 1996: Eraser as Mike 'Little Mike'
- 1996: Big Packages as Phil
- 1997: Living in Peril as Truck Driver
- 2000: The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas as Rocko 'Big Rocko'
- 2001: Road to Redemption as Vincent, The Enforcer
- 2001: Lloyd Coach
- 2001: Mulholland Drive as Kenny
- 2001: Hard Luck as Bobby
- 2002: Fangs as Louis
- 2002: Serving Sara as Petey
- 2003: The Cooler as Tony
- 2003: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days as Sensitive Moviegoer
- 2005: Mr. & Mrs. Smith as Big Bad Bathroom Dude (uncredited)
- 2005: Souled Out as Soul Broker
- 2005: Hercules in Hollywood as Pool Hustler
- 2007: Bunny Whipped as Sandro
- 2007: The Fall of Night as 'Atlas'
- 2008: Jake's Corner as Gus
- 2009: Benny Bliss and the Disciples of Greatness as Tony
- 2010: Jelly as Random Guy
- 2010: Pizza with Bullets as Frankie 'Thats Right'
- 2010: Cause We're Family as Uncle Tony
- 2010: Pete Smalls Is Dead as Joey 'Sausa'
- 2010: Sinatra Club as Lenny
- 2010: Changing Hands as Vito
- 2011: From the Head as Customer G
- 2012: Changing Hands Feature as Unknown
- 2015: Intersection as Fighting Barfly (final film role)
Television
[edit] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | CHiPs | Sly | |
| Laverne & Shirley | Tank Malone | 1 episode | |
| Madame's Place | Lou | Episode: "Naked Lou from Malibu" | |
| 1982–1984 | Alice | Artie | 5 episodes |
| 1983–1986 | Simon & Simon | Sylvester / Wally Luger / Colonel Debarri / Smith | 4 episodes |
| 1984 | The Facts of Life | Hacksaw | 1 episode |
| 1987 | Perfect Strangers | Fat Jack | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | The Equalizer | Young | Episode: "Regrets Only" |
| 1990 | Full House | Tough Prisoner | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Sydney | Lenny | 1 episode |
| 1993–1996 | Renegade | Bugs / Goochie / Danny Carr | 3 episodes |
| 1994 | A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor | Will | TV movie |
| 1995 | Get Smart | Agent 0 - Factory Worker | 1 episode |
| 1995 | High Tide | Angelo | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Family Matters | Butterball | 1 episode |
| 1997–1998 | Police Academy: The Series | Luke Kackley | 26 episodes |
| 1999 | The X-Files | Dominic | 1 episode |
| 2002 | Six Feet Under | Bitsy | 1 episode |
| 2004 | Drake & Josh | Zeke Braxton | 1 episode |
| 2004 | That's So Raven | Python | 1 episode |
| 2005 | Monk | Second Union Official | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Las Vegas | Dino "Slim" | 1 episode |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Barnes, Mike (23 June 2015). "Character Actor Tony Longo Dies at 53". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
- ^ "Obituary of Anthony Longo", Asbury Park Press, November 6, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2017. "Tony was born in Jersey City NJ, attended OLM Grammar School, Marist High School in Bayonne, and the University of Rhode Island (URI) where he studied Drama."
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 22, 2015). "Tony Longo Dies: Veteran Character Actor Was 53". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Tony Longo at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
Tony Longo
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Early life
Tony Longo was born on August 19, 1961, in Jersey City, New Jersey.[6][7] He was the son of Anthony Longo, who passed away in 2003, and Eleanor Longo, who outlived him until her death in 2017.[6][2] Longo also had a brother, Michael Longo, with whom he shared family ties in New Jersey.[6] Longo spent his childhood in the Jersey City and Bayonne areas.[6] Growing up in this environment, he developed an athletic build that would become a defining trait, standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing over 250 pounds—described in some accounts as reaching 300 pounds.[1] His early physical development was shaped by an active lifestyle amid the working-class neighborhoods of New Jersey.[6] He later attended Marist High School in Bayonne, New Jersey.[6]Education
Longo attended OLM Grammar School in Bayonne, New Jersey, before graduating from Marist High School in Bayonne, New Jersey, where he was an active participant in sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball.[8] His athletic prowess during high school earned him attention as a standout athlete, though specific drama activities from this period are not documented in available records.[8] Following high school, Longo attended the University of Rhode Island, where he studied drama and continued his involvement in football.[8] The duration of his enrollment is not specified, but his time at URI marked the beginning of his formal engagement with theater-related studies, fostering early aspirations in acting.[8] Although details on specific theater productions or influential professors are limited, his choice of major indicates a growing interest in performance arts during college.[8] In the early 1980s, after his studies at the University of Rhode Island, Longo relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally, transitioning from academic pursuits to the entertainment industry.[1][8] This move aligned with his developing passion for acting, honed through his drama studies at URI.[8]Acting career
Early career
Tony Longo moved to Los Angeles from New Jersey in the early 1980s, quickly establishing himself in the entertainment industry by securing his first acting role within weeks of arrival.[7] His film debut came in the low-budget comedy Pink Motel (1982), where he portrayed Mark, following uncredited stunt work in Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981). He followed this with the role of Mike, the fraternity president, in the teen comedy The Vals (also known as Valley Girls), released in 1983.[9] The film follows four bored Valley Girls who discover a home for orphaned boys facing eviction and become entangled with drug dealers while trying to save the shelter, marking Longo's entry into supporting roles in independent productions that showcased emerging 1980s youth culture.[10] Throughout the early 1980s, Longo's imposing 6-foot-6, 300-pound physique frequently led to casting as tough guys or athletes in both film and television, contributing to early typecasting that defined his career trajectory.[3] Notable film appearances included Augie, a burly friend of the protagonist, in Ron Howard's romantic fantasy Splash (1984), where his physical presence added comic intensity to scenes involving New York toughs.[11] He also appeared as Rock in John Hughes' coming-of-age comedy Sixteen Candles (1984), further building his resume through these minor but memorable supporting parts that highlighted his ability to embody intimidating yet humorous characters.[9] On television, Longo gained initial traction with guest spots that demonstrated his versatility in episodic formats, including an uncredited role as a big guy in a movie line on Eight Is Enough and a recurring turn as diner regular Artie on Alice from 1982 to 1984.[12][13] These early appearances, often leveraging his size for comedic or antagonistic effect, helped him navigate the competitive newcomer landscape by accumulating credits in established shows, though his physicality often confined him to stereotypical "big guy" archetypes rather than leading roles.[4]Film roles
Tony Longo's film career spanned over three decades, during which he appeared in more than 70 feature films, predominantly in supporting roles as imposing, physically dominant characters such as thugs, enforcers, and tough guys. His imposing stature—standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 300 pounds—often led to typecasting in these parts, where he brought a mix of comedic brawn and understated menace to ensemble casts in both comedies and action thrillers. Critics noted his effectiveness in these roles, describing him as the quintessential "big, dumb bodyguard" archetype that added physical comedy and tension without overshadowing leads.[3] In the 1980s, Longo established himself with early breakout roles that showcased his comedic timing alongside his physical presence. In Splash (1984), directed by Ron Howard, he played Augie, a boisterous clubgoer whose over-the-top antics contributed to the film's lighthearted romantic fantasy tone. That same year, he appeared as Rock in John Hughes' Sixteen Candles, portraying a hulking jock whose brief but memorable scene highlighted the film's satirical take on high school hierarchies. By 1985, in Fletch, he took on the role of Detective #1, a no-nonsense cop in the buddy comedy starring Chevy Chase, where his deadpan delivery amplified the film's satirical edge on investigative tropes. These performances marked Longo's transition from bit parts to reliable supporting player in mainstream comedies. The 1990s saw Longo delve deeper into action and thriller genres, often as antagonists or muscle-for-hire, while maintaining his comedic flair in family-oriented fare. His role as Big Ray Walton in Tony Scott's The Last Boy Scout (1991) exemplified this, playing a brutish henchman opposite Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans; Walton's explosive confrontation scenes underscored the film's high-octane buddy dynamic and noir-ish plot twists. In Eraser (1996), directed by Chuck Russell, Longo portrayed Little Mike, a diminutive-named enforcer in Arnold Schwarzenegger's witness protection thriller, where his physicality contrasted humorously with the character's ironic moniker amid intense action sequences. He also brought levity as the chest-thumping catcher Triscuitt Messmer in the baseball remake Angels in the Outfield (1994), a role that endeared him to younger audiences through his exaggerated, good-hearted tough-guy persona in the inspirational sports comedy. These parts solidified Longo's reputation for enhancing ensemble dynamics in genre films, blending intimidation with unexpected warmth.[3] Entering the 2000s, Longo's roles continued to leverage his typecast strengths, appearing in high-profile projects that ranged from surreal dramas to romantic comedies. In David Lynch's Mulholland Drive (2001), he played Kenny, a menacing hitman in one of the film's cryptic underworld sequences, contributing to the movie's dreamlike tension and neo-noir atmosphere without a single line of dialogue—his silent threat amplified Lynch's stylistic ambiguity. Later, in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Longo appeared as the Sensitive Moviegoer, whose brief interaction added to the film's fizzy ensemble humor amid the Kate Hudson-Matthew McConaughey rom-com antics.[14] These late-career appearances reflected Longo's enduring versatility within his niche, often in uncredited or small but impactful spots that supported larger narratives in critically acclaimed or commercially successful films. His contributions to these ensemble casts were praised for providing reliable physical comedy and reliable menace, helping to ground more experimental or star-driven stories.[3][15]Television roles
Tony Longo's television career spanned over three decades, beginning with guest appearances in popular 1980s sitcoms where he often portrayed burly sidekicks or tough characters with a comedic edge. Early roles included appearances on The Facts of Life, Laverne & Shirley, and Eight Is Enough, marking his entry into episodic television after relocating to Los Angeles.[16] In the 1990s and 2000s, Longo continued to accumulate guest spots across a wide range of genres, including dramas and procedurals such as Murder, She Wrote, a 1999 episode of The X-Files, and ER.[17] He also featured in sitcoms like The Jeff Foxworthy Show, where his physical presence added humor to ensemble dynamics. These roles highlighted his versatility in playing intimidating yet relatable figures.[16] Throughout his career, Longo amassed over 100 television credits, encompassing guest spots, voice work, and specials, with a notable evolution from one-off appearances to more integrated recurring characters in shows like Alice and series regular roles in Helltown, 1st & Ten, Police Academy: The Series, and Shaky Ground. This progression allowed him to develop characters with depth beyond stereotypes, often blending menace with innocence in procedurals and family-oriented series.[16] Longo's frequent casting in both crime dramas and lighthearted family shows underscored his unique screen presence, which combined an imposing physique with humorous timing, making him a go-to actor for roles that balanced threat and levity in the 1980s-2000s television landscape.[16]Personal life and death
Personal life
Longo married Jamie Briggs on January 26, 1992, in a union that lasted 23 years and centered on their life together in Los Angeles.[7] The couple made their home in Marina del Rey, California, where they raised their family in a stable, private environment.[6] He and Briggs had two biological daughters, Chloe Longo and Danielle Schramm, and Longo served as a stepfather to Briggs's daughter, Alexis Dejoria, forming a blended family unit.[7] Tributes following his passing highlight Longo's role as a committed father and supportive presence in his daughters' lives.[6] Despite his career in entertainment, Longo maintained strong connections to his New Jersey roots, regularly visiting his mother, Eleanor, in Belmar, and his brother, Michael.[6] His personal interests included sports, a passion stemming from his youth where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, which he continued to enjoy off-screen.[6] Overall, Longo kept his private life discreet, focusing on family amid his professional commitments.Death
Tony Longo died in his sleep at his home in Marina del Rey, California, on June 21, 2015, at the age of 53, though some sources list the date as June 20.[3][4][6] The cause was congestive heart failure compounded by kidney issues, following a prolonged illness; he passed peacefully without any reported public hospitalization.[16] His manager, Susan Ferris of Bohemia Group, announced the death the following day.[3][4] Longo was predeceased by his father, Anthony (d. 2003). He was survived by his wife Jamie, daughters Chloe and Danielle, stepdaughter Alexis, mother Eleanor of Belmar, New Jersey, and brother Michael of Belmar.[7][6] A private celebration of life was held for family and close friends in December 2015.[6]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Tarzan, the Ape Man | Stunts | John Derek | uncredited |
| 1982 | Pink Motel | Mark | Mike Marvin | |
| 1983 | The Vals | Mike, Fraternity President | James Dekorne | |
| 1984 | Splash | Augie | Ron Howard | |
| 1984 | Sixteen Candles | Rock | John Hughes | |
| 1985 | Fletch | Detective #1 | Michael Ritchie | |
| 1985 | Stitches | Student Jock | Rod Holcomb | |
| 1987 | Winners Take All | 'Bear' Nolan | Fritz Kiersch | |
| 1987 | In the Mood | Carlo, Judy's Husband | Phil Alden Robinson | |
| 1988 | Dream a Little Dream | Bruno | Marc Rocco | |
| 1988 | Ghost Town | Dudley | Richard Governor | |
| 1988 | Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw | Big Paw | Pierre DeCelles | voice |
| 1989 | The Lemon Sisters | Dominick | Joyce Chopra | |
| 1990 | Mr. Destiny | Lenny | James Orr | |
| 1991 | Suburban Commando | Knuckles | Burt Kennedy | |
| 1991 | The Last Boy Scout | Mike | Tony Scott | |
| 1992 | Unlawful Entry | Big Guy #1 | Jonathan Kaplan | |
| 1992 | Rapid Fire | Carl | Dwight H. Little | |
| 1993 | Prehysteria! | Mr. Pervis | Albert Band | |
| 1994 | Angels in the Outfield | Triscuitt Messmer III | William Dear | |
| 1995 | Houseguest | Joey Gas | Randall Miller | |
| 1996 | Eraser | Little Mike | Chuck Russell | |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor | Paul | Tom Shadyac | |
| 1997 | Fire Down Below | Ken Adams | Félix Enríquez Alcalá | |
| 1998 | The Rage | Dave | Mark Stone | |
| 2000 | The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas | Big Rocko | Brian Levant | |
| 2001 | Mulholland Drive | Stan | David Lynch | |
| 2001 | Road to Redemption | Eddie | Jon Cassar | |
| 2003 | How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days | Tony | Donald Petrie | |
| 2003 | The Cooler | Tony | Wayne Kramer | |
| 2004 | Break a Leg | Tony | Monika Mitchell | |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Thug | Doug Liman | uncredited |
| 2005 | Souled Out | Soul Broker | Charles Adelman | |
| 2005 | Hercules in Hollywood | Pool Hustler | John Michael Ferrari, Pepper Jay | |
| 2005 | The Longest Yard | Redneck Guy with Ponytail | Peter Segal | |
| 2007 | Midnight Reckoning | Frank | Mel Wells | |
| 2008 | Jake's Corner | Cookie | Jay Lowi | |
| 2009 | Fall of Night | Frank | Conor O'Brien | |
| 2010 | Pizza with Bullets | Frankie 'That's Right' | Robert Rothbard | |
| 2012 | 21 Jump Street | Flashback Middle School Teacher | Phil Lord, Christopher Miller | uncredited |
| 2012 | From the Head | Customer G | Emily Roeske | |
| 2014 | The Tony Longo Trilogy | Himself | David Wechter | documentary short |
Television
Tony Longo's television work encompassed nearly 90 appearances across sitcoms, dramas, and procedurals from the early 1980s until the 2010s, primarily as a character actor in guest and recurring capacities. The following table presents a chronological selection of his key television credits, drawn from comprehensive databases, highlighting representative guest spots, series regulars, and specials (episode titles included where specified).[16]| Year | Title | Episode(s) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | CHiPs | "Force Seven" | Thug #2[16] |
| 1983 | Laverne & Shirley | "The Bogart Curse" (S8E6) | Sonny St. Jacques[16] |
| 1984 | Hunter | "Legacy" (S1E1) | Breech[19] |
| 1985 | Helltown | Multiple episodes | Stump (series regular) |
| 1985–1988 | 1st & Ten: The Championship | Multiple episodes | Mad Dog (series regular) |
| 1987 | The Facts of Life | "The Reunion" (S8E22) | Coach |
| 1988 | The Equalizer | "The Child Broker" (S4E5) | Young |
| 1989 | Murphy Brown | "My Dinner with Einstein" (S2E9) | Dwayne |
| 1990 | Full House | "Viva Las Joey" (S4E6) | Tough Prisoner |
| 1990–1991 | Sydney | Multiple episodes | Lenny (series regular) |
| 1992 | Murder, She Wrote | "Night of the Coyote" (S9E8) | Eddie Felder |
| 1992–1993 | Shaky Ground | Multiple episodes | Harry (series regular) |
| 1993–1996 | Renegade | "The Psychic and the Cop" (S1E17), others | Bugs / Goochie / Danny Carr (recurring) |
| 1994 | Diagnosis: Murder | "Shaker" (S2E10) | Eddie |
| 1997 | Police Academy: The Series | Multiple episodes | Officer Carl Hooks (series regular) |
| 1999 | The X-Files | "The Goldberg Variation" (S7E6) | Dominic |
| 1999–2006 | The Young and the Restless | Multiple episodes | Private Investigator (recurring) |
| 2000 | The District | "Lost and Found" (S1E8) | Big Lou |
| 2001 | Six Feet Under | "The Foot" (S1E3) | Clyde Wirtz |
| 2002 | Boomtown | "The Squeeze" (S1E4) | Tony |
| 2003 | Monk | "Mr. Monk and the Actor" (S2E1) | Ronnie |
| 2004 | Las Vegas | "Die by the Sword" (S2E6) | Bernie |
| 2005 | The West Wing | "365 Days" (S7E5) | Secret Service Agent |
| 2007 | Rules of Engagement | "Jeff's Wooby" (S2E3) | Coach |
| 2008 | My Name Is Earl | "White on White" (S3E14) | Frank |
| 2011 | Melissa & Joey | "The Other Longo" (S1E21) | Marco Longo |
| 2013 | The Exes | "Toy Story" (S3E11) | Lou |