ACTOR · BORN 1936 · DIED 2015
Alex Rocco
- Born
- 29 February 1936, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Died
- 18 July 2015
- Known for
- Find Me Guilty (2006), The Wedding Planner (2001), The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973), The Stunt Man (1980)
14 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Alex Rocco (29 February 1936 – 18 July 2015) was an actor best known for Find Me Guilty, The Wedding Planner and The Friends of Eddie Coyle.
14 Interesting Facts About Alex Rocco
Interesting Facts (2)
- #001
In 1961, Georgie McLaughlin of the Charlestown mob making advances toward another man's girlfriend ignited a bloody war among Irish gangs in Boston in the early 1960s. After the incident, Rocco was detained as a suspect in the murder of Bernie McLaughlin, but he was never formally charged. This period is known as a major turning point in Boston's criminal history.
- #002
After Rocco's death, his body was cremated and his ashes were given to his surviving relatives. This was a simple farewell ceremony carried out in accordance with his wishes. His family shared the ashes among themselves to keep his memory alive.
Alex Rocco: BossImage: Wikimedia Commons · Alan Light, CC BY 2.0
Characters & Cast (2)
- #003
In an Audi Super Bowl commercial that aired on 3 February 2008, he starred in a parody of the iconic 'horse head' scene from 'The Godfather' (1972). The commercial was shown during the Super Bowl, watched by millions, and became one of the most notable advertising works of Rocco's career. The parody once again recalled his place in cinema history.
- #004
Rocco's line 'Do you know who I am?' from 'The Godfather' (1972) is frequently used by the famous radio host Howie Carr in situations where celebrities referred to as 'Beautiful People' get into trouble. This line became one of the most memorable moments of the film and represents one of the most iconic performances of Rocco's career.
Career & Awards (3)
- #005
His wife, Sandie E. Rocco, had performed in her youth as a professional square dancer and nightclub entertainer, and later worked as a screenwriter. On June 12, 2002, she died at the age of 59 after four years of cancer treatment. One of Rocco's greatest supporters throughout his career, Sandie was also an important part of his artistic circle.
- #006
Alex Rocco began his screen career in 1966 with a role in the 'Batman' series as a hoodlum who gets 'slapped' by the Masked Rider. This small but memorable part marked the start of his long and varied Hollywood career. The series was a major phenomenon in the popular culture of the era, and Rocco's appearance in it gave him the chance to show himself before a wide audience.
Alex Rocco: behind the scenesImage: Wikimedia Commons · Alan Light, CC BY 2.0 - #007
In his youth, Rocco was a member of Boston's notorious Winter Hill Gang. The gang later became an organization run by FBI agent Whitey Bulger and grew into a major force in the city's criminal underworld. This past may have been an inspiration for his frequent portrayals of tough and criminal characters in his acting career.
Life & Family (7)
- #008
Rocco was a member of the Bahá'í Faith. This religion, which emphasizes world peace and unity, is a belief system that emerged in Iran in the 19th century. Rocco's faith may have been influential in his personal life and perhaps in his approach to some of his characters. He is known as one of the few celebrities in Hollywood who held the Bahá'í Faith.
- #009
When he married Sandie Garrett in 1966, he adopted her son Marc from her first marriage. Marc later took the name Marc Rocco, followed in his father's footsteps and became a successful director. This adoption was an important turning point in Rocco's family life, and his father's support played a major role in Marc's career.
- #010
Rocco's son Marc Rocco died on 1 May 2009, before his father. Marc was a talented director known for films such as 'Where the Day Takes You' (1992). Losing a child was one of the hardest moments of Rocco's life, and this loss deeply affected his later years.
- #011
Rocco died on 18 July 2015, the same day as his 'The Entity' (1982) co-star George Coe. This coincidence drew wide media attention because both actors passed away on the same day. Rocco's death marked the end of a career that spanned many years in Hollywood.
- #012
Rocco was the stepfather of actress Kelli Williams and Sean Doyle. This relationship was formed during his marriage to his second wife, Shannon Wilcox. Rocco treated his stepchildren like his own children and became part of a large family structure.
- #013
Rocco was the second husband of actress Shannon Wilcox. Wilcox was an actress known for her roles in series such as 'The Rockford Files' and 'Dallas'. The couple's marriage brought him happiness and balance in the later period of his life.
- #014
Rocco was the father-in-law of Lisa Rocco. Lisa was the wife of his son Marc Rocco. This family bond held an important place in the lives of Rocco's children and grandchildren. These relationships within the family continued after his death.
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Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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