Sopranos Remember James Gandolfini: The Vinny Vella Show

The Vinny Vella Show every Saturday at 7pm EST at mnn.org and on MNN 2. Frank Albanese profile from thesweetscience.com: The newest member of the Veteran Boxers Association is Frank Albanese, a hard-punching heavyweight from the 1940s who is now an actor. Although his pro boxing career consisted of 10 fights, all of which he says he won by knockout, he is better known as Uncle Pat Blundetto, the role he played on four episodes of "The Sopranos" television show between 2004 and 2007. His character was the owner of a country farm who was suffering from dementia. He couldn't remember where the bodies were buried when the characters played by James Gandolfini and Steve Buscemi came to dig them up because a condominium complex was going to be built on the property. Over the years, the 76-year-old Albanese, who looks fit enough to still go a few rounds, has also appeared in uncredited roles in two of the three "Godfather" movies, as well as credited roles in "Dead Presidents" and "Goodfellas." As much as Albanese loves acting, he says he was "devastated" that he had to give up boxing at the age of 19 after it was discovered that he had scar tissue on his brain during a routine examination. Although he sparred on many occasions with such greats as Rocky Marciano, Archie Moore and Roland LaStarza, the thick-necked, wide-shouldered Albanese, whose hands are as big as frying pans, believes the head injury was incurred in any one of the numerous bar brawls or street fights he engaged in while growing up on Manhattan's Lower East Side. "I loved boxing," he said. "It killed me to have to give it up. There was so much camaraderie. I loved going to the gym and training. I liked the training as much as fighting." On the day he was hired for "The Sopranos," he had just dropped off a photo and resume at casting agent Georgianne Walken's office. One look at his craggy face, and he was auditioned on the spot. When asked whether boxing or acting has been more satisfying to him, he was a bit circumspect before answering. "That's a tough," he said. "Each one is very challenging, and you are all alone in front of a crowd. "But," he added, "I think I liked boxing better." William DeMeo is the screenwriter and lead actor in 'Once Upon A Time In Brooklyn' with Armand Assante and Ice T and directed by Paul Borghese. from imdb.com: For over a decade now, William DeMeo has been an entertainment industry professional. William has extensive experience not only as a producer and writer, but also as an accomplished actor. William DeMeo grew up in the Gravesend, Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. He grew up on West St. which he uses as the name of his film company West Street Productions.