Joseph La Cava(1908-1992)
- Actor
- Stunts
Like many actors of his day, Joseph La Cava's contribution to films will never be fully measured or documented. He started appearing in films in the 1930s and through a friendship with Bud Abbott, became Abbott's stand-in when Abbott was filming the Abbott and Costello series. This lead to a few notable roles during those productions because Abbott was usually very kind to La Cava and tried to see that he'd get dialog or at least upgraded to a silent bit where he'd interact with the actors but he wouldn't speak.
Like most actor's, his work with the person he stood in constantly kept La Cava busy but it also lead to him establishing connections with various casting directors who would put him to work when Abbott was filming a movie. The trouble was that since Abbott and Costello were insanely popular during the 1940s and early 1950s, La Cava didn't work in too many other films.
By the early 1950s, La Cava took over his usual duties as Abbott's stand-in on the Abbott and Costello show but during this time, the comedy duo wasn't working as often and were frequently touring so La Cava was frequently gaining employment elsewhere. He played various roles but was frequently cast in shows that were filmed at Universal or Des-Lu studios produced.
In 1960, La Cava caught another break. He was able to establish his role as a character in Howard Duff's Dante series. He would frequently be seen bringing Duff's character drinks or severing customers. Like most good things in Hollywood, La Cava's run on the show didn't last too long be the show was abruptly canceled. This show however helped establish La Cava in the mind of casting directors as a waiter or a croupier.
By the mid-1960s through 1973 he used the character that he developed to maintain steady employment in dramas that were usually filmed at Desi-Lu. He retired in 1973 at the age of 65 but to supplement his income, he would be given a few roles by his friends doing the types of roles he always did. He eventually retired completely and left a body of work that spanned through virtually every phase of Hollywood's golden era of movies and television shows.
Like most actor's, his work with the person he stood in constantly kept La Cava busy but it also lead to him establishing connections with various casting directors who would put him to work when Abbott was filming a movie. The trouble was that since Abbott and Costello were insanely popular during the 1940s and early 1950s, La Cava didn't work in too many other films.
By the early 1950s, La Cava took over his usual duties as Abbott's stand-in on the Abbott and Costello show but during this time, the comedy duo wasn't working as often and were frequently touring so La Cava was frequently gaining employment elsewhere. He played various roles but was frequently cast in shows that were filmed at Universal or Des-Lu studios produced.
In 1960, La Cava caught another break. He was able to establish his role as a character in Howard Duff's Dante series. He would frequently be seen bringing Duff's character drinks or severing customers. Like most good things in Hollywood, La Cava's run on the show didn't last too long be the show was abruptly canceled. This show however helped establish La Cava in the mind of casting directors as a waiter or a croupier.
By the mid-1960s through 1973 he used the character that he developed to maintain steady employment in dramas that were usually filmed at Desi-Lu. He retired in 1973 at the age of 65 but to supplement his income, he would be given a few roles by his friends doing the types of roles he always did. He eventually retired completely and left a body of work that spanned through virtually every phase of Hollywood's golden era of movies and television shows.
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