Latest news with #Scalies
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sopranos actor Charley Scalies dead at age 84: The Wire vet dies following battle with Alzheimer's
Beloved character actor Charley Scalies died Thursday at age 84 following a battle with Alzheimer's. Scalies' daughter Anne Marie Scalies revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that her father died Thursday at a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Scalies portrayed loyal stevedore Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa on 12 episodes of The Wire during the show's second season in 2003. The sophomore frame of the enduring series from creator David Simon closely examined the economic issues Baltimore dockworkers faced amid changing times. Scalies also appeared in an episode of another iconic HBO series - The Sopranos - as he played Coach Molinaro, the high school football coach of Tony Soprano, played by late legend James Gandolfini. The character appeared in an intense exchange in a dream scene in an episode titled The Test Dream. Charley Scalies played Coach Molinaro, Tony Soprano's high school football coach, in a dream scene that showed the insecurities the troubled mob boss faced (and sought to deal with through therapy). The discussion between the coach - who saw potential in a young Soprano - and the fully-grown Tony Soprano illustrated the psychological insecurities the fearsome New Jersey mob boss harbored, and sought to address through therapy. The episode (which first aired May 16, 2004) was the show's 11th episode of its fifth season, directed by Allen Coulter and written by Matthew Weiner and Sopranos creator David Chase. A Legacy obituary - which noted Scalies died 'peacefully' - emphasized the role family played in his life. It noted he was 'best known first and foremost as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend,' adding that his 'favorite audience was always seated around the dinner table.' The obit described Scalies, a native of South Philadelphia, as 'an American actor and former business executive whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion, and a true joy for life.' Season two of The Wire showed how the slow times at the docks led a few workers - including Pakusa - to earn extra cash smuggling in contraband. Amid the items unwittingly smuggled in by the Baltimore crew drugs and women tragically trafficked into the U.S. to be sex workers. On The Wire, the Horseface character was second-in-command to union leader Frank Sobotka (played by Chris Bauer), who had gotten into a desperate situation trying to keep his union and workers afloat amid declining times for the longshoremen. Sobotka, assisted by Horseface and his nephew Nick Sobotka (played by Pablo Schreiber) eventually resort to criminal smuggling to fund political efforts in a last-ditch effort to reinvigorate business at the docks. Scalies posed with Gandolfini during the production of the popular HBO series Soboktka's wayward son Ziggy (played by James Ransone, also gets involved peripherally, leading to tragic consequences down the line. has reached out to Simon, Bauer, Schreiber and Ransone, as well as their reps, for further comment on this story. Scalies told Chesapeake Bay Magazine in 2019 about his work on the HBO series, saying that the only time he had ever been on the docks was when he filmed the show. Scalies said that 'the only time I even met a stevedore was shortly after I was cast as Horseface.' The role was a perfect fit, as shortly after landing the part, Scalies happened to chat with several real-life stevedores and union reps for the International Longeshoremen's Association, who all approved of his casting. 'I told them I had just been cast as a union 'checker' on a TV show,' he recalled. 'Their response was immediate and unanimous: "He looks like a checker."' Scalies explained: 'As with all the other characters I've been blessed to portray, Horseface lives inside of me - I invite him out to play as needed.' On Twitter, a number of fans of the show paid homage to the late actor in the role he played on The Wire, making inside references to scenes that involved his character. A post from the Wire fan account Ziggy_Sobotka read: 'Heartbroken to report that Charlie Scalies, Horseface on The Wire and Coach Molinaro from The Sopranos has passed away.' It concluded: 'Charles J. Scalies, Jr. 7/19/1940 – 5/1/2025.' One fan commented, 'Great characters RIP to the legend.' Another said, 'R. I. P. He's still on the clock.' Referring to a scene illustrating Horseface's loyalty to the union, one fan wrote, 'Good luck to St Peter getting anything out of him at the pearly gates without an IBS lawyer present.' One Twitter user aptly remarked, 'At what age does death not break your heart?' According to the Legacy obit, Scalies is survived by 'the true love and joy of his life, his wife of 62 years, Angeline M. Scalies (née Cardamone); his five children: Charles (Chuck) Scalies III, Angeline Kogut (Steve Kogut), Anthony (Tony) Scalies, Christa Ann Scalise, and Anne Marie Scalies (Shawn Weaver); and grandchildren Charles IV, Christopher, Domenic and Amelia Scalies.'
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The Wire's Chris Bauer warmly remembers late costar Charley Scalies following actor's death at 84
Actor Chris Bauer remembered his late costar on The Wire Charley Scalies as a 'generous, prepared and hard working' colleague to Monday. Bauer, 58, spoke exclusively with in an email interview following Scalies' passing Thursday at age 84 in Pennsylvania following a battle with Alzheimer's. Bauer played the role of embattled Baltimore dock leader Frank Sobotka on the show's second season in 2003, with Scalies playing his loyal lieutenant, Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa. Bauer, who has also been seen on shows such as True Blood, The Deuce and Heels, said that while he 'rarely has much to say, he really loved working with Charley. 'Like the best scene partners, he was generous, prepared, and hard working. He was an early example for me that you don't have to be an a**hole to be a good actor. In fact, the opposite is true: laughter, humility, and a warm heart is the way to go.' Bauer said that Scalies' 'love for his family stuck with [him] over the years' and that he was 'grateful' for the 'influence' he had on him. The sophomore frame of the enduring series from creator David Simon closely examined the economic issues Baltimore dockworkers faced amid changing times. It illustrated how the slow times at the docks led a few workers - including Pakusa - to earn extra cash smuggling in contraband. Amid the items unwittingly smuggled in by the Baltimore crew drugs and women tragically trafficked into the U.S. to be sex workers. On The Wire, the Horseface character was second-in-command to Bauer's character, union leader Frank Sobotka. The season showed how Frank had gotten into a desperate situation trying to keep his union and workers afloat amid declining times for the longshoremen. Frank, assisted by Horseface and his nephew Nick Sobotka (played by Pablo Schreiber) eventually resort to criminal smuggling to fund political efforts in a last-ditch effort to reinvigorate business at the docks. Scalies also appeared in an episode of another iconic HBO series - The Sopranos - as he played Coach Molinaro, the high school football coach of Tony Soprano, played by late legend James Gandolfini. The character appeared in an intense exchange in a dream scene in an episode titled The Test Dream. Scalies portrayed Thomas 'Horseface' Pakusa for 12 episodes of The Wire The discussion between the coach - who saw potential in a young Soprano - and the fully-grown Tony Soprano illustrated the psychological insecurities the fearsome New Jersey mob boss harbored, and sought to address through therapy. The episode (which first aired May 16, 2004) was the show's 11th episode of its fifth season, directed by Allen Coulter and written by Matthew Weiner and Sopranos creator David Chase. A Legacy obituary - which noted Scalies died 'peacefully' - emphasized the role family played in his life. It noted he was 'best known first and foremost as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend,' adding that his 'favorite audience was always seated around the dinner table.' The obit described Scalies, a native of South Philadelphia, as 'an American actor and former business executive whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion, and a true joy for life.' Soboktka's wayward son Ziggy (played by James Ransone, also gets involved peripherally, leading to tragic consequences down the line. Scalies told Chesapeake Bay Magazine in 2019 about his work on the HBO series, saying that the only time he had ever been on the docks was when he filmed the show. He had a memorable exchange with a grown Tony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini) that revealed the insecurities the mob boss harbored Scalies said that 'the only time I even met a stevedore was shortly after I was cast as Horseface.' The role was a perfect fit, as shortly after landing the part, Scalies happened to chat with several real-life stevedores and union reps for the International Longeshoremen's Association, who all approved of his casting. 'I told them I had just been cast as a union 'checker' on a TV show,' he recalled. 'Their response was immediate and unanimous: "He looks like a checker."' Scalies explained: 'As with all the other characters I've been blessed to portray, Horseface lives inside of me - I invite him out to play as needed.' On Twitter, a number of fans of the show paid homage to the late actor in the role he played on The Wire, making inside references to scenes that involved his character. A post from the Wire fan account Ziggy_Sobotka read: 'Heartbroken to report that Charlie Scalies, Horseface on The Wire and Coach Molinaro from The Sopranos has passed away.' It concluded: 'Charles J. Scalies, Jr. 7/19/1940 – 5/1/2025.' One fan commented, 'Great characters RIP to the legend.' A post from The Wire fan account Ziggy_Sobotka read: 'Heartbroken to report that Charlie Scalies, Horseface on The Wire and Coach Molinaro from The Sopranos has passed away' Another said, 'R. I. P. He's still on the clock.' Referring to a scene illustrating Horseface's loyalty to the union, one fan wrote, 'Good luck to St Peter getting anything out of him at the pearly gates without an IBS lawyer present.' One Twitter user aptly remarked, 'At what age does death not break your heart?' According to the Legacy obit, Scalies is survived by 'the true love and joy of his life, his wife of 62 years, Angeline M. Scalies (née Cardamone); his five children: Charles (Chuck) Scalies III, Angeline Kogut (Steve Kogut), Anthony (Tony) Scalies, Christa Ann Scalise, and Anne Marie Scalies (Shawn Weaver); and grandchildren Charles IV, Christopher, Domenic and Amelia Scalies.'
Fox News
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Charley Scalies, ‘The Wire' and ‘Sopranos' actor, dead at 84
Charley Scalies died Thursday at the age of 84. "The running gag is how I tell everyone that I am (was) his favorite kid," his daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, told Fox News Digital in a statement. "My siblings like to fight me for the title but I am certain it was me!" "Aside from around the dinner table with his family and friends, he lived to return on stage," she added. "Even in the ending weeks he was talking about being in rehearsals and sharing stories with young actors of his time on HBO. 'The Wire' writer, Rafael Alvarez, was one of his most favorite colleagues and often referred to him as a brother from another mother." Scalies died May 1 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. The actor was best known for his portrayal of Tony Soprano's high school football coach in "The Sopranos" and Thomas "Horseface" Pakusa in the second season of "The Wire." "As with all the other characters I've been blessed to portray, Horseface lives inside of me," he told Chesapeake Bay Magazine in 2019. "I invite him out to play as needed." Scalies began his career in theater, landing roles in "Guys and Dolls," "Chicago" and "The Wizard of Oz." He also wrote a screenplay titled "It Takes Balls," inspired by the pool hall his dad owned during Scalies' childhood. The actor moved on to the silver screen, portraying characters in "12 Monkeys," "Liberty Heights," "Jersey Girl" and "Condition Red." He most recently appeared in an episode of "Cold Case" in 2008. Anne Marie also shared a tribute to her father on Instagram with photos of the two. "You were my first love," she captioned the Instagram post. "Thank you for all you have taught me and continued to teach me during your transition. I am comforted that you are now at peace.""Keep the ghost light on for me!" Scalies is survived by his wife Angeline, along with his children, Chuck, Angeline, Tony, Christa and Anne Marie. The actor is also survived by his grandchildren, Charles IV, Christopher, Domenic and Amelia.
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
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Charley Scalies, 'The Wire' and 'The Sopranos' actor, dies after Alzheimer's battle at 84
Charley Scalies, 'The Wire' and 'The Sopranos' actor, dies after Alzheimer's battle at 84 Charley Scalies Jr., a 1990s and 2000s actor best known for his role on "The Wire" and appearances on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "The Sopranos," has died. He was 84. Scalies died "peacefully" after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease on May 1, according to an obituary. His family said the actor was "best known first and foremost as a husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend" and "whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion and a true joy for life." USA TODAY has reached out for more information. Scalies starred in stage plays and later the Al Pacino film "Two Bits" in 1995. He played Thomas "Horseface" Pakusa, an incarcerated former cargo checker from labor union IBS Local 1514, on Season 2 of the hit HBO crime drama "The Wire." He played Tony Soprano's high school football coach, Coach Molinaro, on HBO's other hit crime drama "The Sopranos" a year later in 2004. Other credits include an appearance on the series "Homicide: Life on the Street," and the films "12 Monkeys" (1995), "Liberty Heights" (1999) and "Jersey Girl" (2004). He made two separate appearances on "SVU": as Bert Ferrara in 2006 and Dock Foreman in 2008. The latter was among his last acting credits, in addition to an appearance on "Cold Case" as Rusty Jenkins. Why after 25 years, 'The Sopranos' is greatest TV drama of all time But the actor's "favorite audience was always seated around the dinner table," his family wrote. The former business executive and consulting firm founder is survived by his wife, Angeline Scalies, and five children: Charles Scalies III, Angeline Kogut, Anthony Scalies, Christa Ann Scalies and Anne Marie Scalies. The actor had four grandchildren.
