We at Amy-Movie would like to express our deepest condolences on Tony Lo Bianco’s (October 19, 1936 – June 11, 2024) passing. May his departed soul rest in peace.
Gone but never forgotten.
Tony Lo Bianco’s career was famous for his versatile performances across film, stage, and television.
Renowned for his portrayals of compelling villains, Lo Bianco’s roles in “The French Connection” (1971) and “The Honeymoon Killers” (1970) stand as highlights of his career.
Beyond film, Lo Bianco achieved notable success on stage, earning an Obie Award for his role in “Yanks 3, Detroit 0, Top of the Seventh” (1975).
Furthermore, he also received critical acclaim for his Tony Award-nominated performance in Arthur Miller’s “A View From the Bridge” (1983).
In television, Lo Bianco’s career spanned a wide range of roles, from portraying memorable characters in TV series like “Law & Order” and “Homicide: Life on the Street” to tackling significant roles in TV movies such as “Jesus of Nazareth” (1977).
So today, we will talk about 10 of his projects where we felt he gave his best.
Disclaimer: The movies discussed in this list are a personal choice, and viewers’ choices might vary according to their taste.
10. Somewhere In Queens (2022)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2022 |
| Cast | Ray Romano, Laurie Metcalf, Jacob Ward |
| Director | Ray Romano |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Sports |
| Awards | 2 Nominations |
Despite appearing in every other film during the 1970s and 1980s, Tony Lo Bianco remained absent from the industry during the 2000s.
One movie that was supposed to be his comeback was Somewhere in Queens.
This 2022 movie revolves around the story of Leo and Angelo Russo, who enjoy living a simple life in Queens, New York. They are surrounded by thier pompous Italian family.
In the movie, the family shows no respect towards their son, “Sticks,” who is quite interested in playing basketball.
How Sticks finds success in high school basketball forms the basic plot of this movie.
Tony Lo Bianco played Dominick Pops Russo in this movie. Dominick owns a construction business and wants his son to run it.
His authentic role play in the film managed to win the hearts of many fans.
Furthermore, his dialogue delivery in this movie is also top-notch.
9. Kill The Irishman (2011)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2011 |
| Cast | Ray Stevenson, Christopher Walken, Vincent D’Onofrio |
| Director | Jonathan Hensleigh |
| Genre | Biography, Crime, Drama |
| Awards | 1 Nomination |
This 2011 movie made a name for Tony among the many young audience.
It focuses on the famous Irish mobster Danny Greene.
In the movie, Danny moves up the ladder of the 1970s gang scene. He literally beats up everyone who stands in his way.
He readily commits a crime for money.
How he moves up the ladder and the difficulty he faces form the basic plot of this move.
On the other hand, Tony played the role of a weak mobster boss who just can’t get his gang together.
Yet again, he did a brilliant job in this movie.
8. Frame Of Mind (2009)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2009 |
| Cast | Carl T. Evans, Arija Bareikis, Chris Noth |
| Director | Carl T. Evans |
| Genre | Drama |
| Awards | 0 |
Yet again, Tony can be seen as the mouthman and mobster in the 2009 film Frame Of Mind.
From the start of this movie, right to the end, the mystery surrounds his character.
For most of the movie, we see him wearing a mask, trying his best not to reveal who he is.
His acting was incredible, but the custom designer did a terrible job designing his wig.
Due to the wig, his character seems to cringe at times.
Talking about its plot, it mainly focuses on the police detective from New Jersey who somehow manages to get the evidence surrounding the assassination of John F Kennedy.
Even though the plot is interesting, the writers in this movie focused more on safety than originality, which is why the movie gets boring by the end.
7. The Engagement Ring (2005)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 2005 |
| Cast | Patricia Heaton, Vincent Spano, Tony Lo Bianco |
| Director | Steven Schachter |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Romance |
| Awards | 0 |
The storyline of this movie is really strong. It focuses on the life of American Soldiers in World War II.
The proud soldier sends his high school sweetheart a marriage proposal and a ring. However, the ring gets lost in the mail.
Guess who that soldier is?
Of course, it’s our Tony.
This might be the first instance in his long movie career that he got to play the role of the charming guy.
And boy, did he deliver.
However, his dialogue delivery could have been better, but overall, this movie showcases that he could also play a charming character.
If you are looking for a movie that will warm your and your family’s hearts, this is a must-watch.
6. Jessie (1984)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 1984 |
| Cast | Lindsay Wagner, Tony Lo Bianco, Celeste Holm |
| Director | Eric Bercovici |
| Genre | Drama |
| Awards | 0 |
Besides movies, Tony also lent his acting talents to TV series.
One such series is Jessie, which focuses on the life of a young female psychologist who helps the police department solve a case.
Tony went on to appear in all 11 episodes of this series.
His role as Lieutenant Alex Ascoli demanded a strong presence on the screen, and the veteran actor did exactly what the character demanded.
Moreover, in the series, he played the skeptical cop who likes to do his own research on the matter.
Besides that, if you are a fan of a car chase in the TV series, this series is a must-watch.
Furthermore, this TV series is one of the few from the ’80s whose story revolves around a female character.
5. F.I.S.T (1978)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 1978 |
| Cast | Sylvester Stallone, Rod Steiger, Peter Boyle |
| Director | Norman Jewison |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Awards | 1 |
Now, let’s talk about when Tony was a frequent face in Hollywood.
In 1978 F.I.S.T, he played the role of the mob Babe Milano.
In terms of its storyline, this movie is a biopic of a fictional labor leader.
The movie manages to tell the story of American History in a mere two hours. It gives an overview of the thought processes of the laborers and the capitalists.
Furthermore, F.I.S.T is divided into two halves. In the first half, the movie tells the story of the laborers and makes you feel that management is just pure evil, while in the second half, it tells the story of the corruption inside the labor movements.
Tony Lo Bianco’s character acts as the ladder that helps the main character, Kovak, climb up to the position.
He played a great role as a supporting character in this movie.
4. God Told Me To (1976)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 1976 |
| Cast | Tony Lo Bianco, Deborah RaffinSandy Dennis |
| Director | Larry Cohen |
| Genre | Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi |
| Awards | 1 |
Tony Lo Bianco also significantly impacted the horror and thriller genres through his role in “God Told Me To” (1976).
Larry Cohen directed the film, which delves into a complex narrative that blends horror, detective drama, and religious themes.
Detective Peter Nicholas, portrayed by Tony Lo Bianco, becomes the central figure investigating a series of murders.
However, each murderer claims that they did all those murders because GOD TOLD THEM TO.
As Nicholas experiences supernatural occurrences, cult activities, and revelations of alien influence, his devout Catholic background adds layers to his character’s internal conflicts.
Tony Lo Bianco’s portrayal of Detective Nicholas is widely praised for its depth and emotional intensity.
It captures the torment of a man grappling with extraordinary events that challenge his faith and personal beliefs.
3. Police Story (1973)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 1973 |
| Cast | Scott Brady, Mel Scott, Don Meredith |
| Director | E. Jack Neuman, Joseph Wambaugh |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Awards | 5 |
Created by novelist Joseph Wambaugh, a former LAPD officer, ‘Police Story‘ shatters the image of police officers as heroes.
Instead, it portrays them as flawed individuals battling moral and societal issues.
Episodes of ‘Police Story‘ are celebrated for their realism and willingness to tackle complex subjects.
The series often has unresolved endings.
Critically acclaimed for its groundbreaking approach, ‘Police Story‘ set a new standard in police dramas, influencing later series like ‘NYPD Blue‘ and ‘Boomtown.’
Tony went on to appear in 11 episodes of this series.
In the 1975 episode ‘The Cut Man Caper‘ (part of the ‘Police Story‘ anthology), Tony Lo Bianco delivered a standout performance as Frank Pembleton, a professional boxer entangled in a heist.
Meanwhile, Lo Bianco’s portrayal of Pembleton was praised for its intensity and depth.
2. The French Connection (1971)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 1971 |
| Cast | Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey |
| Director | William Friedkin |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Awards | 22 |
“The French Connection” (1971) is a realistic story about crime and policing in 1970s New York City.
Directed by William Friedkin, the film employs documentary-style filmmaking techniques.
This style immerses viewers in the intense world of narcotics trafficking and law enforcement.
Tony Lo Bianco, with his portrayal of Salvatore “Sal” Boca, is a vital figure in the narcotics trade.
Lo Bianco brings depth and authenticity to Sal Boca, a character whose charisma and cunning add layers to the film.
His dynamic interactions with Hackman’s Doyle and the rest of the cast, including Roy Scheider, underscore the film’s narrative tension and thematic richness.
1. The Honeymoon Killers(1970)
| IMDb | |
| Release Date | 1970 |
| Cast | Shirley Stoler, Tony Lo Bianco, Mary Jane Higby |
| Director | Leonard Kastle, Donald Volkman |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Romance |
| Awards | 0 |
Based on the infamous true story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck, “The Honeymoon Killers” (1970) captivates audiences with its raw portrayal.
Unlike other thrillers, the film prioritizes character development and psychological depth over fast-paced action.
Tony Lo Bianco delivered a haunting performance as Raymond Fernandez, portraying him as a manipulative and repulsive figure.
He exploits the trust of his victims for financial gain and, ultimately, murder. His portrayal captures the essence of Raymond’s depravity, making him both abhorrent and strangely compelling on screen.
Shirley Stoler’s portrayal of Martha Beck adds another layer of intensity to the film, depicting her as a deeply disturbed presence.
While the supporting cast occasionally struggles to match Lo Bianco and Stoler’s intensity, their performances collectively contribute to the film’s chilling atmosphere and narrative impact.
Some Honorable Mentions
| S.N | Name Of The Movie | Roles Played |
| 1 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007) | Joseph |
| 2 | Endangered Species (2002) | Captain Tanzini |
| 3 | Rocky Marciano (1999) | Frankie Carbo |
| 4 | Mafia! (1998) | Cesar Marzoni |
| 5 | A Last Cry For Help (1979) | Dr. Ben Abbot |
