Latest news with #Philadelphia-born
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular crime show actor dies at 84 after ‘long battle with Alzheimer's'
Charley Scalies, the actor known for playing Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa in 'The Wire' and Coach Molinaro in 'The Sopranos,' has died. He was 84. The Philadelphia-born actor died in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 'after a long battle with Alzheimer's' on Thursday May 1, his obituary reads. 'Professionally, Charley Scalies was an American actor and former business executive whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion, and a true joy for life,' the obituary reads. 'His favorite audience was always seated around the dinner table.' Born July 19, 1940, Scalies spent his childhood by entertaining patrons at his father's pool hall in South Philadelphia. His impressions and jokes from a young age eventually led him to performing in community and dinner theater productions in the early 1990s. Scalies most notable roles included Nicely Johnson in 'Guys and Dolls,' Billy Flynn in 'Chicago' and the Cowardly Lion in 'The Wizard of Oz,' according to his obituary. Scalies' made his television debut in Al Pacino's 1995 film 'Two Bits.' However, Scalies is best known for his role as Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa in Season 2 of HBO's 'The Wire,' in which he appeared in all 12 episodes in 2003. He also appeared as Coach Molinaro in 'The Sopranos' Season 5 episode titled 'The Test Dream.' Scalies' other film and television credits include 'Homicide: Life on the Street,' 'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order: SVU' and 'Cold Case' as well as '12 Monkeys' (1995), 'Liberty Heights' (1999) and 'Jersey Girl' (2004). Outside of acting, Scalies was an accomplished screenwriter. He wrote a screenplay called 'It Takes Balls,' which was inspired by his father's pool room in Philadelphia. Scalies is survived by his wife of 62 years Angeline, their five children and four grandchildren. Hit '90s songwriter killed in house fire at age 66 Famous comedian, 'Laugh-In' star from New England dies at 88 Celebrity hair stylist hit by drunk driver sustains 'devastating injuries' Renowned actress dies in New England weeks before turning 101 Frontman of popular '80s new wave band dies from cancer at 66
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Farewell To ‘The Wire' Legend: Charley Scalies Dies At 84
Charley Scalies, the beloved character actor best known for his role as Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa on The Wire, has passed away at 84 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. The Philadelphia-born actor, also recognized for his appearance in The Sopranos and films like Liberty Heights and Jersey Girl, left a lasting mark on television. His daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, confirmed the heartbreaking news, as fans mourn a performer whose quiet strength resonated across every role. With a career spanning decades and appearances on Law & Order, SVU, and Cold Case, Scalies' presence on screen will be dearly missed.
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Charley Scalies, actor from The Wire and The Sopranos, dies at 84
Charley Scalies, the Philadelphia-born actor best known for his memorable roles in HBO's The Wire and The Sopranos, has died at the age of 84. His daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, confirmed he passed away on May 1, 2025, at a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Scalies gained widespread recognition for portraying Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa, a loyal and gruff longshoreman in season two of The Wire. He appeared in all 12 episodes alongside Frank Sobotka (Chris Bauer), embodying the struggles of Baltimore's working-class dockworkers. He later returned to HBO in The Sopranos, playing Coach Molinaro in the surreal dream episode 'The Test Dream' during the show's fifth season. In the episode, he scolds Tony Soprano for abandoning his potential, delivering one of the show's more introspective moments. Born July 19, 1940, Scalies began his career in sales and consulting before transitioning to acting in the 1990s. His early performances in local theater included roles in Guys & Dolls, Chicago, and The Wizard of Oz. He appeared in films like 12 Monkeys, Liberty Heights, and Jersey Girl, and on TV shows including Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, and Cold Case. Scalies is survived by his wife of 62 years, Angeline, five children, and four grandchildren. His family encourages donations in his memory to the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association or PCS Theater in Swarthmore.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wrexham's remarkable rise - and what comes next
The party at the Stok Cae Ras was in full swing on Saturday night as Wrexham sealed an unprecedented third successive Wanderers' 1-0 loss to Leyton Orient earlier in the day paved the way for Phil Parkinson's side to open up an unassailable advantage over the chasing pack in League One if they could beat Charlton was an opportunity they grasped as Ollie Rathbone scored his eighth goal of the campaign before Sam Smith netted a brace to clinch an emphatic 3-0 Sport Wales looks at how Wrexham made the journey to the Championship from non-league in just three seasons - and explores what the future may hold. Where did it all begin? Working as a writer on comedy television series Mythic Quest, current Wrexham director Humphrey Ker became a close personal friend of the show's co-creator Rob Philadelphia-born actor took an interest in football and, during the coronavirus pandemic, tasked Ker with assessing potential investment Aldershot, Carlisle and Shamrock Rovers fans, look away now. They were among the clubs that were explored before Wrexham were a chance encounter on Instagram proved to be the start of a dream star Ryan Reynolds contacted McElhenney on the social media platform to praise him for his acting skills in a particular episode of It's Always Sunny in duo struck up a relationship and the rest, as they say, is on BBC Breakfast prior to the win over Charlton, Ker said: "They (Reynolds and McElhenney) came to understand this thing about the way our football system works that is completely alien in America, which is the idea that you can go from the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top. In America, it's kind of a closed circuit."The Hollywood pair completed their takeover of Wrexham in February 2021, making an immediate £2m investment after taking control from the club's supporters' trust. The journey so far Wrexham have not finished below second place in the various divisions they have competed in any of their four seasons under Phil Parkinson, who was appointed as manager just five months after the takeover was play-off heartache against Grimsby Town brought an abrupt end to an impressive debut campaign in north Wales for Parkinson in the following season proved memorable as Wrexham clinched the National League title with a record 111 points to end a 15-year absence from the Football there has been no stopping the Red Dragons won 26 of their 46 matches en route to taking the runner-up spot in League Two as the club sealed back-to-back promotions last another step up in level, Wrexham have successfully gone toe to toe with a number of former Premier League sides to take the second and final automatic promotion place in League One this was Parkinson's 181st league match in charge of Wrexham, and his record is nothing short of have triumphed in 112 of Parkinson's league games. Their win rate is just shy of 62%. There have been 40 draws and only 29 league this period, Wrexham have scored 361 league goals (not including play-offs) at a rate of almost exactly two per game while claiming an average of 2.08 points per 57, also guided Wrexham to the FA Trophy final - they lost to Bromley at Wembley - in his first season and has twice led his side to the fourth round of the FA Cup."Phil Parkinson, our manager, deserves an unbelievable amount of credit because there have been other teams that have had more resources than us in the past that have not been able to get to the cusp that we have got to," said Ker. Documentary success The 'Welcome to Wrexham' television documentary has been at the heart of the club's rise to global prominence over recent four is set to premiere in May and will detail the club's journey from League One to the Championship, with Wrexham becoming the first side in the top five divisions of English football to secure three successive Wrexham do not earn money directly from the show, its popularity has had a significant impact on improving the club's revenue streams."It's extraordinary. We often talk about the power of storytelling," said Ker."What we've been able to do with the documentary and the football club is tell people in America why football is so significant to us, what it means and what the stakes are. "Truly, I'm astonished by the volume of interest. It's because America is fascinated by English football and we are a way in for a lot of people who don't follow it in other ways."Telling the story of the local community in addition to the fortunes of the club itself, the documentary has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards and two Critics' Choice Television Awards."We're telling that story, and we're telling the story of the town," added Ker."The amazing thing about all football clubs is that so much life happens around them, and covering that is what we do." An unstoppable rise "Our goal is to grow the team, establish Wrexham AFC as a Premier League club, in front of increased attendances at an improved stadium while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham."The club's mission statement spells out the scale of the ambition of co-chairmen McElhenney and Wrexham's hierarchy have plenty to ponder as they plan for the club's first season in the second tier since squad size will rise from 22 players to 25, while matchday squads will feature nine substitutes as opposed to could, in theory, pave the way for Paul Mullin's return to the squad following his absence over the previous 13 games. Whatever striker Mullin's situation, it is clear there is further work to be done on the squad, as Parkinson will want to bring in more players of a higher calibre to bolster his side's Championship inevitable acquisitions will lead to an increased wage bill, with Ker recently suggesting Wrexham would need to quadruple their wage outgoings to be competitive in the Championship. Work is also due to commence on improving the iconic Kop Stand at their Stok Cae Ras home, while there are plans to develop a training ground and for expansion of facilities for the academy and women's all requires money - and lots of it. But on the plus side, the club are currently operating with a model most EFL clubs will £26.7m Wrexham made in revenue during their 2023-24 League Two season puts them just below the top Championship sides - who benefit from parachute payments - in terms of and sponsorship revenue will only increase in the Championship, so there is no doubt Wrexham are well placed at present. The next challenge is always the toughest, and the Championship is a different beast from what Wrexham have face over the past few with such impressive alignment from top to bottom at the club, Wrexham know they are in a strong position to achieve their ultimate goal at some stage - whether it be next season or beyond.
USA Today
05-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean Brady reflects on UFC 280 loss to Belal Muhammad, addresses online trolls
UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady admits the stage was too big when he fought now-champion Belal Muhammad. It was October 2022 when a then-undefeated and slightly favored Brady (17-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) stepped into the cage at UFC 280 to face Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC). The feature preliminary bout was a big one for both fighters who were knocking on the door of title contention. Muhammad won the fight by second round TKO, ending Brady's undefeated run. The result was a reality check of sorts for the Philadelphia-born fighter. 'Back in 2022 when I lost to Belal, I wasn't ready for these big fights and these big moments,' Brady said on 'The BradyBagz Show.' 'The old Sean Brady had to die. I became a new version of myself, and then since becoming a dad, I feel like that's became a different level of who I am.' While Brady says he has evolved as a fighter and as a person away from fighting, one thing he can't seem to escape is the trolls online in comment sections who love to bring up the only loss of his professional career. It's something that Brady laughs at now since he's moved on and learned from the moment. In fact, Brady is confident that when he meets Muhammad inside the cage again, the result will be much different than their first fight. 'Didn't get dropped, completely fine afterwards – like, brother, he is the UFC champion,' Brady said. 'If me and Belal fight 10 times, I'm winning nine of them. I lost the one. It's OK, and I don't talk like that because I know I'm going to get my get back. Y'all can be in the comments and say that. I am No. 5 in the UFC. Y'all are out here writing in the comments of my show, of my sh*t.' Brady has rebounded nicely with wins over a pair of former UFC title challengers in Kelvin Gastelum (interim middleweight) and Gilbert Burns. On March 22, Brady will get another chance to firmly put his name in title contention when he takes on former champion Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 255 in London. It's a road game for Brady, but a big main event that could likely earn a title shot. 'Three weeks out, I feel amazing,' Brady said. 'Team, my body feel – everything's amazing. We're training hard as sh*t. We're ready to f*cking go.'
