Anthony Franciosa Movies and Career Information

Anthony Franciosa (October 25, 1928 – January 19, 2006) was an American actor, usually billed as Tony Franciosa during the height of his career. Born as Anthony George Papaleo to Italian-American parents, and raised by his mother and aunt, he adopted his mother's maiden name (Franciosa) as his professional name. In 1948 he joined the Cherry Lane Theatre Group off Broadway (at the same time as actress Beatrice Arthur). Before he became successful at acting, he worked a variety of jobs which included being a waiter, dishwasher, day laborer, and messenger boy. Several years later he garnered rave reviews and a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway performance of the play A Hatful of Rain. When he reprised his role in the film version in 1957, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He followed that with roles in several major films, including A Face in the Crowd with Andy Griffith and Patricia Neal, Career with Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine, The Long Hot Summer with Paul Newman and Orson Welles, Period of Adjustment with Jane Fonda, The Pleasure Seekers with Ann-Margret and Carol Lynley, Fathom in 1967 with Raquel Welch, The Drowning Pool with Paul Newman and Joanne