Alex Rocco, the Emmy award-winning character actor best known for his role as casino owner Moe Greene in Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 classic film "The Godfather," has died, the Hollywood Reporter reported. He was 79 years old.
Rocco passed away at his Studio City home in Los Angeles, Calif. on Saturday after losing his battle with cancer, his son Sean told the Hollywood Reporter. His daughter Jennifer confirmed his death on her Facebook page.
Known for his iconic role in "The Godfather," Rocco delivered one of the most memorable lines of film, "Do you know who I am?," according to Variety. His film credits include roles in "The Stunt Man" (1980), "Gotcha!" (1985), "Get Shorty" (1995), and "That Thing You Do" (1996).
His TV credits include "The Facts of Life," "Starsky and Hutch," "The Famous Teddy Z" and more recently, "Magic City." Rocco won the best supporting actor Emmy in 1990 for his work in "The Famous Teddy Z."
"For those of us lucky enough to get to know Rocco, we were blessed," Jeffrey Dean Morgan, his "Magic City" co-star, said in a statement. "He gave the best advice, told the best and dirtiest jokes and was the first to give you a hug and kiss when it was needed. To know Roc was to love Roc. He will be missed greatly. There is a little less magic in the world today. Rest in peace, 'Pops.' Love and miss you madly."
Rocco is survived by his daughters Jennifer and Kelli, sons Sean and Lucien, his wife, actress Shannon Wilcox, four grandchildren, and a sister, according to Us Weekly.
