‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Star Passes Away

Michael DeLano, the New York–born character actor who popped up everywhere from “Ocean’s Eleven” to “Rhoda,” has died at 84.

DeLano suffered a heart attack on Oct. 20 in Las Vegas, his family told The Hollywood Reporter. They also confirmed his death in a public notice.

Born Nov. 26, 1940, DeLano broke in as a singer in 1960, signing with Swan Records under the stage name Key Larson. He recorded tracks like “A Web of Lies” and “A Little Lovin’ Goes a Long, Long Way” before shifting to acting.

His first credited role was a 1963 appearance on “General Hospital,” according to IMDb. By the 1970s, he was a familiar face on TV dramas and cop shows, landing spots on “Adam-12,” “Banyon,” “Banacek,” “Barnaby Jones,” “McCloud,” “Get Christie Love!,” “Kojak” and “Doctors’ Hospital.”

He also made the rounds on big-name series including “Wonder Woman,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Supertrain” and “Taxi.”

In 1974, DeLano scored one of his few starring roles, playing firefighter Sonny Caputo in all 13 episodes of ABC’s “Firehouse.” The mid-season drama burned out quickly and was canceled after its short run.

Delano in “Ocean’s Eleven” (Warner Bros.)

He found a steadier gig soon after, joining Valerie Harper’s hit sitcom “Rhoda” as lounge singer Johnny Venture. He appeared in 11 episodes across the show’s third and fourth seasons.

DeLano continued working nonstop through the 1980s with appearances on “The Jeffersons,” “Private Benjamin,” “The Fall Guy,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The A-Team,” “Cagney & Lacey” and “Hill Street Blues.”

His film résumé was just as wide-ranging. He showed up in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action classic “Commando,” the Richard Dreyfuss–Emilio Estevez comedy “Another Stakeout” and the Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin hit “9 to 5.”

Other movie credits included “Slumber Party Massacre II,” “Father Hood,” “Zero Tolerance,” “Fists of Iron” and “My Blueberry Nights.”

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