Ed Vassallo was a talented actor and producer who appeared in several TV shows and movies, including War of the Worlds, The Sopranos, and Law & Order. He was also a board member of the Labyrinth Theater Company, a renowned off-Broadway theater group. He passed away on February 25, 2014, at the age of 45, after a long and courageous fight with leukemia. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Ed Vassallo, as well as the details of his cause of death.
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Early Life and Education
Ed Vassallo was born on March 29, 1968, in New York City, New York, USA. He was the son of John and Carol Vassallo, and had a brother, John, and a sister, Elena. He attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he developed his passion for acting. He later graduated from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in drama.
Acting and Producing Career
Ed Vassallo began his acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in various theater productions, short films, and TV shows. He made his Broadway debut in 1996, playing a soldier in A Delicate Balance, starring Rosemary Harris and Elaine Stritch. He also performed in several off-Broadway plays, such as The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Our Lady of 121st Street, and The Little Flower of East Orange, all produced by the Labyrinth Theater Company, of which he was a founding member and a board member.
Ed Vassallo also had a successful career in film and television, playing various roles in popular shows and movies. He was best known for his recurring role as Tom Giglione, the brother-in-law of Tony Soprano, in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Sopranos. He also appeared in other shows, such as Fringe, Person of Interest, Six Degrees, and Law & Order, in which he played different characters in three different spin-offs. His film credits include War of the Worlds, directed by Steven Spielberg, Keep the Lights On, an indie drama that won awards at several film festivals, and King Kelly, a dark comedy that he also produced.
Personal Life and Death
Ed Vassallo was married to Dr. Chen He, a neurologist and a professor at Columbia University. They met in 2007 and tied the knot in 2010. They lived in New York City and enjoyed traveling, cooking, and watching movies together.
Ed Vassallo was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012, and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. He fought bravely against the disease, and continued to work and support his family and friends. He even participated in a charity event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2013, raising funds and awareness for the cause. However, his condition worsened in early 2014, and he passed away on February 25, 2014, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 45 years old.
Ed Vassallo’s funeral service was held at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City on March 4, 2014. He was remembered by his family, friends, and colleagues as a kind, generous, and passionate person, who touched many lives with his talent and spirit. He was also honored by the Labyrinth Theater Company, which dedicated its 2014 season to him, and by the 52nd Street Project, a non-profit organization that provides theater education to inner-city kids, which named a theater space after him.
Conclusion
Ed Vassallo was a remarkable actor and producer, who left behind a legacy of artistic excellence and human compassion. He was taken away too soon by leukemia, a devastating disease that affects millions of people around the world. His cause of death reminds us of the importance of supporting research and treatment for leukemia, as well as celebrating the life and work of those who have succumbed to it. Ed Vassallo will always be remembered and missed by his fans, friends, and family.
