Vito Scotti was a versatile and prolific actor who played a wide range of ethnic roles in movies, television, and theater. He was known as the man of a thousand faces for his ability to transform himself into different characters, from a Mexican bandit to a Russian doctor to a Japanese sailor. He appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows, including classics like The Godfather, Get Smart, Columbo, and Gilligan’s Island. He died of lung cancer on June 5, 1996, at the age of 78.
Early Life and Career
Vito Scotti was born Vito Giusto Scozzari on January 26, 1918, in San Francisco, California. His parents were Italian immigrants who moved back to Naples, Italy, when he was a child. He spent his early years in Naples, where he developed his love for comedy and mime. He returned to the U.S. when he was seven and settled in New York City, where his mother became a diva in the Italian theater. He followed her footsteps and started performing on stage as a child.
He worked the night club circuit as a stand-up magician and mime, following the style of the Commedia dell’Arte. He made his Broadway debut in Pinocchio, where he played a small role. He served in World War II and then moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in film and television.
Film and Television Roles
Scotti made his film debut in 1949, with three uncredited roles. He soon became a sought-after character actor, who could play any ethnic type with ease and authenticity. He worked with some of the most famous directors and stars of his time, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, and Marlon Brando. Some of his notable films include The Godfather, where he played Nazorine, the baker who asks Don Corleone for a favor; The Pink Panther, where he played the Italian police chief; and The Aristocats, where he voiced Peppo, the Italian cat.
Scotti was also a regular on television, appearing in dozens of shows, from sitcoms to dramas to westerns. He often played comic relief or villainous roles, such as a French chef, a Spanish bandit, a Greek barber, or a German spy. He was a favorite guest star of many popular shows, such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Addams Family, The Munsters, I Dream of Jeannie, The Flying Nun, and The Beverly Hillbillies. He also had recurring roles on The Andy Griffith Show, where he played a traveling salesman; The Twilight Zone, where he played a ventriloquist; and Hogan’s Heroes, where he played an Italian POW.
One of his most memorable TV roles was on Gilligan’s Island, where he played three different characters in three different episodes. He played a Japanese sailor, a mad scientist, and a bandit leader. He also appeared on several episodes of Columbo, playing different roles each time.
Personal Life and Death
Scotti was married three times and had two children. His first wife was Irene Aida Lopez, whom he married in 1949 and who died in 1979. His second wife was Jo Ella Thompson, whom he married in 1980 and divorced later. His third wife was Beverly Cohen, whom he married shortly before his death. He was also a passionate cook, who loved to prepare Italian dishes for his friends and family. He was highly regarded as a chef and a host.
Scotti died of lung cancer on June 5, 1996, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. He was buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. He left behind a legacy of laughter and entertainment, as well as a rich and diverse body of work. He was a man of a thousand faces, but also a man of a thousand talents.
