Luciano Charles Scorsese

 Posted on March 3, 2024  |  10 minutes  |  1996 words  |  Reinaldo Massengill

Luciano Charles Scorsese, 80, father of film director Martin Scorsese, died Aug. 23 in New York after a long illness.

He appeared in many films directed by his son, most notably in “Raging Bull” and “GoodFellas,” and also acted as a wardrobe consultant on several films. He and his wife, Catherine, were the subject of “Italianamerican,” a documentary on Italian immigrant life in New York in the early part of this century.

He also appeared in “The King of Comedy,””The Color of Money,””After Hours, “”Cape Fear,” the upcoming “The Age of Innocence” and Brian De Palma’s “Wise Guys.” He was a consultant on “Raging Bull,””GoodFellas” and “The Godfather, Part III.”

Scorsese was a presser in the garment industry for over 40 years and became active in films upon his retirement.

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He married Catherine Cappa in 1933.

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Beside his wife and son, he is survived by another son, Frank; brothers Joseph and Gandolfo, sister Fanny, and five grandchildren.

DANIEL FUCHS

Daniel Fuchs, 84, Academy Award-winning screenwriter and acclaimed novelist, died July 26 in Los Angeles of heart failure.

Raised in Brooklyn, Fuchs went to Hollywood after considering himself a failed novelist.

He won the Oscar for best original story for the 1955 film “Love Me or Leave Me,” about a 1920s singer whose friendship with a racketeer brings her both fame and despair.

His other screenplays include “The Hard Way” in 1942 and “Jeanne Eagels” in 1957.

Fuchs turned to screenwriting after the commercial failure of a 1930s trilogy based on his Brooklyn childhood: “Summer in Williamsburg,””Homage to Blenholt” and “Low Company.” The books were critically praised but wracked up few sales when they first were published. They won renewed critical popularity in 1961 and 1972 reprints.

Fuchs also wrote numerous short stories for such publications as the New Yorker, Esquire and the Saturday Evening Post, and in 1971 wrote another novel, “West of the Rockies,” about a movie star and her agency representative.

Before starting his writing career, Fuchs taught elementary school in New York. During World War II he served in the Navy and the Office of Strategic Services.

Survived by two sons, Thomas and Jacob; a sister, Helen Lieberman; and three grandchildren.

MARVIN FISHER

Marvin Fisher, 76, composer of “When Sunny Gets Blue,””Destination Moon” and other popular songs, died Aug. 21 of a heart attack.

Fisher worked as an arranger for the orchestras of Glenn Miller, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown and Johnny Green in the 1930s and ’40s. He also played piano with the Justin Stone Orchestra.

In the 1940s he began composing and working as the West Coast representative for Fred Fisher Music Co., founded by his father in 1907. After his father’s death, he and his brother, Dan, took over the company.

He later founded a subsidiary, Marvin Music, which published his songs and those of Nat (King) Cole, Rosemary Clooney and Peggy Lee.

EDWINA LEWIS

Edwina Lewis, 42, actress and director who appeared in recent Broadway productions of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ” and “A Streetcar Named Desire,” died Aug. 23 in Augusta, Mich., of a heart attack.

Other Broadway credits include the Lincoln Center production of “Mule Bone,” by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston in 1991.

She also appeared in the daytime television drama “One Life to Live” and several roles in Off Broadway shows.

Under her original name, Margaret Klenck, she appeared in the 1986 film “Hard Choices.”

At the time of her death, she was preparing for a rehearsal of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” which she also directed.

PAT SHIELDS

Pat Shields, 70, producer-director for more than 30 years, was found dead in his car Aug. 16 in Death Valley, apparently the victim of heat exhaustion.

Winner of numerous awards for commercials he created for various national brands, Shields pioneered the use of children in commercials. Most recently he produced commercials for Great Western Bank with Dennis Weaver and Ford Dealers of Southern California with Lindsay Wagner.

With a master’s degree in Cinematography from USC, Shields began his career as a film editor at Telepix, becoming a commercial producer at Carson/Roberts Advertising and its succesor, Ogilvy & Mather.

He also directed several network television programs for children including “Villa Allegre” and “Curiosity Shop.” He also directed primetime specials on Elizabeth Taylor and Clark Gable for ABC.

Shields was an executive producer at Dailey & Associates Advertising for eight years, also serving as head of television production during that time. He retired in 1992.

He was also a frequent lecturer at USC’s department of cinematography.

Survived by his wife, Elinor, and a brother, Ellis.

DONALD GETZ

Donald Getz, international independent film distributor, producer’s rep and sales agent, died Aug. 22 in London after a brief illness. His age was not reported.

Getz began his career in radio in 1961, and during that period collaborated with Allan Sherman on lyrics and jokes. In 1952, he entered the film industry handling U.S. and international distribution of films by Gaucho Tali and George Henrik.

In 1961, he formed his own production company which produced a number of films in the U.K. and France. He later formed Playpont Films, which produced and distributed TV and theatrical films in the U.K. and America.

In 1963, he co-founded Artixo Films to import films to the U.S. In 1964, he joined Official Films as VP of international.

In 1968, he became consultant to the Humphries Group where he stayed until 1971 when he reactivated Playpont.

Getz was a founding member of the American Film Marketing Assn., and regularly attended international film markets such as the AFM, Cannes and Mifed.

Survived by two daughters; four grandchildren and a sister.

SILVIO CARANCHINI

Silvio Caranchini, 79, long-time associate of Bob Hope, died July 8 in Los Angeles of cancer. Caranchini, who served in numerous capacities during his long tenure with Hope, began his career as a controlman and announcer for a radio station in Vermont.

In 1937, he joined NBC in New York as a staff announcer/field engineer and six years later moved to the West Coast as a technical director/supervisor.

Caranchini’s long association with Hope began in 1950 when he served as a recording engineer for Hope’s NBC radio and television shows. He later worked at NBC as a unit manager. Since 1957, he worked with Hope on location specials and all but one of his overseas USO tours.

Caranchini retired from NBC in 1981 and immediately joined Hope Enterprises as associate producer. He held that position until his death.

Survived by his wife, Ione; three daughters; a sister, a brother and three grandchildren.

LUCINDA BALLARD

Lucinda Ballard, 87, Tony Award-winning costume designer, died Aug. 19 of cancer.

In 1947, Ballard won the first Tony given for costume design for her work on several productions that season: “Happy Birthday,””Another Part of the Forest, “”Street Scene,””John Loves Mary” and “The Chocolate Soldier.”

Her second Tony came in 1962 for “The Gay Life.” She retired that year, but later returned to design the costumes for a 1985 revival of Tennessee Williams’ “Night of the Iguana.”

She was nominated for an Academy Award in 1951 for her work in the movie “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

TOM FUCCELLO

Tom Fuccello, 55, actor, died Aug. 16 in Van Nuys, of AIDS.

Best known for the recurring role of Dave Culver on CBS’ “Dallas” and that of Paul Kendall on ABC’s daytime soap “One Life to Live,” Fuccello’s other television credits include “Beverly Hills, 90210,””Silk Stalkings,””Reasonable Doubts,””Oliver North: Guts and Glory,””His Mistress,””Falcon Crest,””Knot’s Landing,””P.S. I Luv You,””Highway to Heaven,” among others. He also appeared in numerous commercials.

Fuccello’s Broadway credits include “Butterflies are Free,””The Unknown Soldier & His Wife” and “Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been.” He also performed in summer stock and repertory theater productions around the country.

Survived by his mother, Ida; and a brother, Charles.

JEAN KING

Jean King, 76, radio personality whose sultry voice wooed the nation during the late 1940s as “Lonesome Gal,” died Aug. 19 in North Hollywood of a heart attack.

The beauty contest winner, band singer and actress conceived the Lonesome Gal character in Dayton, Ohio, in 1947. Lonesome Gal recorded about 300 programs each week whic were syndicated on 50 stations across the United States.

King also performed on shows such as “I Love a Mystery,””Death Valley Days” and “Famous Jury Trials,” and appeared in some of the Tarzan movies.

A widow, she is survived by daughter Patricia Cancilla, son W.G. Fargo Rousseau, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a sister.

PATRICK LIPPERT

Patrick Lippert, 35, president of the music industry’s Rock the Vote organization and longtime entertainment industry organizer for political and charitable causes, died July 13 in Marina Del Rey, Calif., of AIDS.

While serving as director of Network, an organization which provided political education for people in the entertainment community, Lippert organized countless events including various Oscar night benefits. He was also a driving force in launching the Hollywood Policy Center in 1989.

Lippert became part of Rock the Vote in 1991, serving as executive director and later president. His efforts were recognized last month when he received the Founders Award from the Liberty Hill Foundation.

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