Veteran performer Michael DeLano died following a heart attack at a hospital in Las Vega, his wife has confirmed. He was 84 years old.
The actor’s widow, Jean DeLano, revealed the news of his death, which happened on October 20, on Tuesday.
The couple had been married for 28 years and together for 38 years.
Mr DeLano was a familiar face on American television throughout the 1970s and beyond, with notable appearances in popular series and films.
Michael DeLano has died at 84
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GETTY
His career spanned several decades, encompassing both acting and singing roles.
The entertainer had made Las Vegas his home since 1992, where he continued performing until recently.
Mr DeLano achieved recognition for his portrayal of lounge crooner Johnny Venture in the CBS sitcom Rhoda, appearing in eleven episodes across the third and fourth series between 1976 and 1978.
His character unsuccessfully pursued Valerie Harper’s title character following her separation from her husband.
Michael DeLano in Supertrain, 1979
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IMDB
Earlier in the decade, he secured a prominent role as firefighter Sonny Caputo in ABC’s Firehouse, receiving third billing alongside James Drury and Richard Jaeckel. The drama premiered in January 1974 but was cancelled after thirteen episodes.
Film audiences recognised him as the casino manager in Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven (2001), a role he reprised in Ocean’s Twelve (2004).
He also appeared as ill-fated car dealer Forrestal in the 1985 Arnold Schwarzenegger action film Commando.
Born Michael Ace Del Fatti on November 26, 1940, in Virginia, the performer never knew his pilot father who died before his birth.
Michael DeLano starred in various film and TV roles
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IMDB
Philadelphia became his childhood home, where he gained early fame as a featured dancer on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, attracting fan mail from viewers.
Following military service as a paratrooper in the United States Army, he pursued a recording career in 1960 under the name Key Larson with Swan Records.
His singles included A Web of Lies and A Little Lovin’ Goes a Long, Long Way.
The entertainer adopted his professional surname after spotting a flashing neon hotel sign bearing the name DeLano. His transition to acting began with a Chicago production of Hair, which led to his relocation to Hollywood.
Michael DeLano in McCloud, 1970
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IMDB
Mr DeLano’s extensive television career included guest appearances on numerous popular series throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
He featured in episodes of The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie’s Angels, Taxi, The A-Team, Cagney & Lacey, and Hill Street Blues.
He also secured a recurring role as carnival boss Frank Coyne in the NBC primetime soap Flamingo Road during 1980-81. His brief stint as Lou Atkins on NBC’s costly failure Supertrain lasted nine episodes in 1979.
The performer maintained his singing career in Las Vegas, where he had resided for over three decades.
Mr DeLano leaves behind his widow Jean, daughter Bree, grandsons Michael and Lincoln, and granddaughter Jaxon.