Actor Jon Polito, best known for his many roles in films directed by the Coen brothers, has passed away at age 65.
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Polito’s friend, director John McNaughton, also confirmed the actor’s death on Facebook. “Very sad to learn that my dear friend and collaborator, Jon Polito has passed away”, McNaughton wrote.
Due to his short stature and bulldog features, Polito spent much of his career playing criminals and gangsters, in films like 1990’s Coen Brothers crime drama Miller’s Crossing. According to family sources, he had been in a coma since last Sunday.
The Philadelphia native starred in more than 100 movies and also made countless appearances in television series since the early 80s.
“I have gotten to work with [Marlon] Brando, Faye Dunaway, [Joel and Ethan] Coen, [James] Gandolfini, and [Albert] Finney”, Polito said in 2011.
He most recently landed a role in the film “The Maestro”, which is now in pre-production. McNaughton called Polito a “born actor”.
Polito was also cast in the first season of Homicide: Life on the Streets, appearing as Detective Steve Crosetti in a dozen episodes before he acrimoniously split from the NBC procedural.
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Polito is survived by his partner Darryl Armbruster…and by the fact that you can’t help but stumble over one of his performances in a couple hundred movies and TV episodes. “Bless you, Jon! I loved every minute we worked together!”
