Vincent Gardenia (January 7 1922 – December 9 1992) was an Italian-American Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-winning stage, film, and television actor.
Gardenia was born Vincenzo Scognamiglio in Naples, Italy to Elisa and Gennaro Gardenia Scognamiglio. After emigrating to the United States as a child, he lived most of his life in Brooklyn, New York.
In 1972, he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in The Prisoner of Second Avenue and in 1979 he was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Ballroom.
In film, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in Bang the Drum Slowly and Moonstruck.
In television, Gardenia won the 1990 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for Age-Old Friends. Among his best remembered TV roles is his portrayal of Frank Lorenzo, Archie Bunker's neighbor on All in the Family (1973-74).
Gardenia died of a heart attack in Philadelphia in 1992, aged 70. He is interred in Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York.
The section of 16th Avenue between Cropsey Avenue and Shore Parkway in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York, where he lived until his death, was renamed Vincent Gardenia Boulevard in his honor.
Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1989
In Brooklyn, NY, 16th Avenue (between Cropsey Avenue & Shore Parkway) has renamed Vincent Gardenia Blvd. to honor his memory. This is the block where he lived.
