Vale: Jon Polito

Prolific US actor Jon Polito, best known for Coen brothers films an Homicide: Life on the Street, has died aged 65.

He died in California, after first being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010.

He most notably featured on several Coen brothers films, including playing a studio flunkey in Barton Fink, a gangster in Miller’s Crossing, and a private investigator in the Big Lebowski. Other film credits Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, Critical Condition, Homeboy, The Freshman, The Rocketeer, The Crow, Stuart Little, The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle, View From the Top, Flags of Our Fathers, Gangster Squad and Big Eyes.

On television, Polito played Det Steve Crosetti in Homicide: Life on the Street. He was written out of the show after two seasons following a disagreement with the producers.

But he had many other TV credits including It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as Danny DeVito’s long-lost brother and a recurring role in Modern Family as Jay’s (Ed O’Neill) business rival. He was also known as the landlord Sylvio who attempts to evict Newman (Wayne Knight) in Seinfeld.

Source: Guardian, Hollywood Reporter