Abe Vigoda is still alive, thank you very much

[Blue Diadem]

Abe Vigoda found out he was dead in 1982. He was doing a play in Calgary, Alberta, while a People magazine writer visited the "Barney Miller" wrap party in Los Angeles, California.

Somehow it mentioned in the article that 'the late Abe Vigoda' was not ," Vigoda recalls.

The error was corrected, but the damage had been done. Vigoda's "Barney Miller" character -- the decrepit, downcast Det. Phil Fish -- didn't help the image. Never mind that the real Vigoda was a vigorous man just turning 60 at the time; the question of whether he's shuffled off this mortal coil has followed him around ever since. There's even a Web site devoted to his life-or-death status.

But Vigoda takes the attention with good humor (and occasional appearances on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"). Now 87, he can look back on a successful career with at least two immortal characters: Fish and the "Godfather" lieutenant, Sal Tessio.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/23/abe.vigoda/index.html
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Damn, he's 87 and he still plays handball. There's a funny story in the article about him meeting up with cops after his Godfather part.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

1. And Wilford Brimley? n/t

[Blue Diadem]

3. Last I heard he was on the bus for McSame

All that oatmeal went to his brain.

[ailsagirl]

2. Loved him on Barney Miller...

Great show

[Blue Diadem]

4. I liked him on that show too.

It's nice to know that he's still healthy and agile.

[edbermac]

5. No he's not! Not after he ratted out the Corleones to Don Barzini.

Right at the end of The Godfather. Michael found out and had Tom Hagen tell the boys to 'take him out for a ride.'