The mystery is, for the moment, not yet clarified. American actor Frank Vallelonga Jr., notably seen in the Oscar-winning film ‘Green Book’, was found dead on a street in the Bronx, New York (United States) early Monday morning, reports The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
The 60-year-old comedian was discovered by police near a sheet metal factory with no visible signs of injury and was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the American magazine, investigations are underway and the autopsy will have to establish the causes of his death. The New York Times also reports that, according to police, the actor was homeless.
A man arrested
Also according to the New York newspaper, a 35-year-old man was arrested on charges of concealing a corpse. Surveillance cameras allegedly filmed him driving a car before pulling up along a sidewalk, pulling out the body of Frank Vallelonga Jr., then driving away. During his hearing, he claimed that he did not know the comedian and had nothing to do with his death. The vehicle reportedly belonged to the actor’s brother, Nick Vallelonga, who said the arrested man used it without his permission.
The film “Green Book” tells the true story of an unlikely friendship, in the early 1960s and while segregation was still in progress, between the black pianist, Don Shirley, and his chauffeur, Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga, an Italian bouncer from the Bronx. The latter is none other than the father of Frank Vallelonga Jr. In the film, the now deceased actor also plays the role of his living uncle, Rudy Vallelonga. And it was Frank Vallelonga Jr.’s brother, Nick Vallelonga, who co-wrote and produced the Academy Award-winning film.
The 60-year-old actor at the time of his death also starred most recently in the film ‘The Birthday Cake’ which was released in 2021. He also made an appearance in one of the episodes of the series ‘The Sopranos’ – in which his father himself played a role.
