‘Law And Order’ Actor Passes Away At 87

Tony Lo Bianco, acclaimed for his role in “The French Connection,” an Academy Award-winning film, passed away at 87. His representatives confirmed to Fox News that he died Tuesday night at his horse farm in Maryland after a battle with prostate cancer.

“His beloved wife, Alyse, was by his side,” the representative said in an email.

Lo Bianco is perhaps best recognized for his role in the film “The French Connection” where he played Sal Boca. His career spanned several decades, beginning in the 1960s, and includes work in both film and theater. In addition to “The French Connection,” Lo Bianco has appeared in a variety of other movies, often playing roles that highlight his Italian-American heritage. Some of his other notable film roles include appearances in “Bloodbrothers” and “City Heat.”

LOS ANGELES – FEB 22: Tony Lo Bianco, Alyse Best Muldoon at the Night of 100 Stars Oscar Viewing Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 22, 2015 in Beverly Hills, CA

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“To me, everything is a lesson,” Lo Bianco said in a 2023 interview with La Nostra Voce, reflecting on his formative years. “Ms. Jacobson taught me awareness on stage. How to sit, how to move, how to pull the audience in.”

Though his tryout for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950s didn’t lead to a career in Major League Baseball, by 1971, Lo Bianco had secured a role opposite Gene Hackman in “The French Connection.” The film not only won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director but also earned Lo Bianco critical acclaim for his portrayal of Sal Boca. It was his role in the 1970 film “The Honeymoon Killers,” which later became a classic, that paved the way for opportunities.

“For Honeymoon Killers, they wanted to cast a guy with a Spanish accent. I’m Italian American, but I took on a Spanish accent and landed the role. Everybody thought it was genuine, then they heard my real voice one day on set, they couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“I’ve worn a lot of faces, and to me, acting was always about human connection — it’s the only thing that matters,”  he said.

One memorable night out in New York City, Lo Bianco had an unexpected encounter with Frank Sinatra and his wife Nancy at a club. “We talked the whole night, about everything. The business, growing up, family. Sinatra put his arm around me at one point and asked when he and I were going to work together. Just hearing those words, oh can you imagine it?”

Lo Bianco is also known for his work on stage. He has been involved in numerous theatrical productions, both on and off Broadway. His dedication to the theater is evident in his participation in various one-man shows, including a portrayal of Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia in the play “Hizzoner!”

Beyond his acting career, Lo Bianco was also active in directing and producing. He had a strong presence in the arts community and was involved in several initiatives to promote theater and the arts.

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