Richard Romanus, an acclaimed actor recognized for his performances in the notable film “Mean Streets” and the popular television show “The Sopranos,” died on December 23, 2023, at the age of 80. Romanus passed away in a private hospital in Volos, Greece. The reason for his death remains undisclosed.
Romanus was born on February 8, 1943, in Barre, Vermont, into a Lebanese American family. He spent his childhood in West Hartford, Connecticut.
He obtained a degree in philosophy from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1964. After a brief stint in law school, Romanus chose to follow his passion for acting and trained at New York’s Carnegie Hall under the renowned Lee Strasberg.
Romanus left a substantial mark on Hollywood with his depictions of hard-edged characters. His most unforgettable roles comprise the loan shark Michael in Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” (1973), and providing the voice for Harry Canyon in the animated film “Heavy Metal” (1981). He also lent his voice to animated films like “Wizards” and “Hey Good Lookin’,” directed by Ralph Bakshi.
Among his acting credits, he was known for playing Richard La Penna, the former husband of Dr. Jennifer Melfi (portrayed by Lorraine Bracco), in four episodes of “The Sopranos.”
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Romanus starred in numerous television shows, including “Mission: Impossible,” “The Mod Squad,” “Rhoda,” “Kojak,” “The Rockford Files,” the original “Hawaii Five-O,” “Starsky and Hutch,” and “MacGyver.”
His extensive filmography encompasses a variety of genres, featuring roles in movies such as “The Gravy Train,” “Protocol,” “The Couch Trip,” “Oscar,” and “Point of No Return.”
Romanus had two marriages in his lifetime. His first wife was Tina Bohlmann, with whom he was married from 1967 to 1980 and had a son. In 1985, he tied the knot with Oscar-nominated costume designer Anthea Sylbert.
Over twenty years ago, the couple relocated to Skiathos, Greece. There, Romanus pursued his writing career, authoring his memoir and two novels set in Greece. He and Sylbert also collaborated on writing and producing two Lifetime telefilms: “Giving Up the Ghost” (1998) and “If You Believe” (1999).
His memoir, “Act III: A Small Island in the Aegean,” published in 2011, made the shortlist for the International Rubery Book Award in 2012. He also authored the novels “Chrysalis” (2011) and “Matoula’s Echo” (2014).
Romanus is survived by his son, his second wife Anthea Sylbert, and his younger brother Robert Romanus, recognized for his role in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”