Born Michael Vincente Gazzo in Hillside, NJ. Accomplished character actor of the 1970s and 80s. He appeared in a segment of "Robert Montgomery Presents" on TV in 1950 and had a bit part in ON THE WATERFRONT (1954), but worked as a playwright (A Hatful of Rain, 1955) and screenwriter (A HATFUL OF RAIN, 1957, from his play, and KING CREOLE, 1958) before he really made it as a character man. Notable screen acting credits include A MAN CALLED ADAM (1966), OUT OF IT (1969), THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT (1971), CRAZY JOE (1974), BLACK SUNDAY (1977), FINGERS and KING OF THE GYPSIES (both 1978), LOVE AND BULLETS, GANGSTERS, THE FISH THAT SAVED PITTSBURGH and THE BORDER (all 1979), CUBA CROSSING and ALLIGATOR (both 1980), BACK ROADS and BODY AND SOUL (both 1981), CANNONBALL RUN II and FEAR CITY (both 1984), IL CUGINO AMERICANO / BLOOD TIES (1986), COOKIE (1989), LAST ACTION HERO (1993) and his last film, NOTHING TO LOSE (1994). He'll probably be best remembered, though, as the noble Frank Pentangeli ("Frankie Five Angels) in that remarkable ensemble of supporting players in THE GODFATHER, PART II (1974).  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1974: THE GODFATHER, PART II 1 nomination