Anthony Caruso (b. April 7 1916 - April 4 2003) was a character actor in over 100 American films, usually playing villains, including the First Season of Walt Disney's Zorro as Private Don Juan Ortega, who conspires and works with Sergeant Demetrio Lopez Garcia (Henry Calvin) to capture and arrest Zorro for Captain Enrique Sanchez Monastario (Britt Lomond). The series was shot at Oceanside's Mission San Luis Rey de Francia.
He also had early television roles, some playing sympathetic characters, like "Ash," on an early episode of Gunsmoke.
His birthplace was Frankfort, Indiana, but grew up in Long Beach, California since age ten.
One of his more memorable roles was that of the alien gangster "Bela Oxmyx" in the classic Star Trek episode "A Piece of the Action".
He died three days before his 87th birthday in Brentwood, California.
Father of son, Tonio.
Trained at the Pasadena Playhouse where he befriended actor Alan Ladd (I), who got him work in 12 of his films.
Made a big killing as a character actor, his tough Italianate features perfect for playing ethnic heavies (Mexican, Slavic, Greek)
Though of Italian descent, Caruso often played Indian, Arab, Persian, Latino and Native American characters in his films.
Played 14 different characters on "Gunsmoke" (1955) ( Hank / Bud Gurney / Lone Eagle / Cody Durham / Ash Farior / Ford Macklin / Joe Sims / Bull Foot / Gulley / Townsend / Talley / Pappy Quinn / Elton Sutterfield / Lon Toomes)
Played a mob boss in "Star Trek" A Piece of the Action (1968).
Caruso was the last President of the exclusive show business club, the "Masquers' Club" that started in 1928, prior to its demise.
