Vincent Schiavelli

Vincent Schiavelli, the well-known droopy-eyed character actor died in Sicily on Monday. He was 57. He may not have a famous name, but his face is known by many. Many of our memories of classic images from our favorite movies bear unforgettable images of his strong screen presence.

Schiavelli played in over 150 movies throughout his acting career, mostly as eccentric or creepy characters. Among his most memorable roles were: as patient Frederickson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest ; Ghost in which his character of 'Subway ghost' taught Patrick Swayze to move objects around so he could exact revenge on his killers; Tomorrow Never Dies; as Salieri's valet in Amadeus ; the organ grinder in Batman Returns and as Chester in The People vs. Larry Flynt. He was also Mr. Vargas, the science teacher in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, who was married to the character portrayed by Lana Clarkson.

In 1997, Vanity Fair magazine named Schiavelli one of America’s Best Character Actors. Schiavelli's last acting role was in an Italian mini series in 2005, Silva Roibes.

2Movie pays its tribute to this great character actor whom many of us will miss.