Trivia

In Brooklyn, New York, 16th Avenue (between Cropsey Avenue and Shore Parkway) has renamed Vincent Gardenia Boulevard to honor his memory. This is the block where he lived.

Suffered a fatal heart attack at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was born in Naples, Italy, the son of Elisa (Ausiello) and Gennaro Gardenia Scognamiglio, an actor/manager. His family moved to the United States in 1922, settling in Brooklyn, where his father founded an Italian-language based acting troupe. Vincent first appeared on stage with this company at age five, playing a shoeshine boy. His first English-speaking stage role was in the 1955 Broadway play "In April Once".

Highly effective in choleric or exasperated roles, and noted on screen for his comic portrayals of New Yorkers, particularly in The Front Page (1974), or as Cher's father in Moonstruck (1987).

Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1989.

Following his death, he was interred at Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York.

Won the 1972 Tony Award (New York City) for Featured Actor in a Drama for "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" and was nominated for the 1979 Tony Award (New York City) for Actor in a Musical for "Ballroom".

Vincent Gardenia passed away on December 9, 1992, a month away from what would have been his 73rd birthday on January 7, 1993.

Was an honorary Chief of the NYC Emergency medical Service.

Appears in three Best Picture Oscar nominees: The Hustler (1961), Heaven Can Wait (1978) and Moonstruck (1987).

Appeared as the same character ('Frank Ochoa') in Death Wish (1974) and Death Wish II (1982), making him the only actor besides Charles Bronson to play the same character in more than one 'Death Wish' film.