Nicholas Colasanto

Nicholas Coke Santo ( born January 19, 1924 in Providence, Rhode Iceland, † 12 February 1985 in Studio City, Los Angeles ) was an American actor.

He became known to a wider audience as a performer of the bartender "Coach" Ernie Pantusso in the sitcom Cheers. For this role he was three times nominated in each year of participation, for an Emmy. In addition Cola Santo worked as a television director, among others such series as Bonanza, Columbo, Starsky & Hutch or CHiPs. Even as an actor Colosanto worked mostly for television, including such series as he was on the run, Cobra, accept, The Streets of San Francisco or Kojak - to see use in Manhattan. As an actor he played among others in the movies Fat City ( 1972) by John Huston, family grave ( 1976) by Alfred Hitchcock and Raging Bull (1980 ) by Martin Scorsese.

He died in 1985 during the filming of the third season of Cheers.