Actor, restaurateur Frank Pellegrino dead at 72

Frank Pellegrino Sr., co-owner of Rao’s in Caesars Palace and an actor best known for his role on The Sopranos, died on January 31 after a battle with cancer. He was 72 years old.

The original Rao’s opened in New York’s Harlem in 1896, and has remained family owned and operated ever since. After a positive New York Times review in 1977, regular customers were assigned standing reservations at its ten tables, forcing those who want to dine there to negotiate with them for a seat, and earning it a reputation for having the most difficult reservation in New York City. Over the years, countless V.I.P.’s and celebrities have been turned away.

Frank, a nephew of Anna Pellegrino Rao, took over the operation of the restaurant with another family member, Ron Straci, following the death of Vincent Rao. Rao’s at Caesars Palace opened in 2006, followed by a Hollywood location in 2013.

In addition to his career as a restaurateur, Pellegrino was an accomplished actor. His early roles include Johnny Dio in Goodfellas and 16 episodes as Detective Ricciarelli on New York Undercover. But he was best known for portraying FBI Bureau Chief Frank Cubitoso on the Sopranos.

In a prepared statement, his family say that while they mourn his loss, “they also celebrate his life, and know he’d be adamant that the show must go on.” It goes on to remember the “last of the great hosts” for “his stentorian voice” and his charitable work, and ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to Harlem’s Mount Carmel Holy Rosary School or The Ronald McDonald House.

A spokesperson for Caesars Palace called the news of Pellegrino’s death “very sad,” adding “Frank was a cherished member of the Caesars family. He will be missed.”

And Pellegrino’s former daughter-in-law, Henderson chef and restaurateur Carla Pellegrino, issued a statement saying, in part “I am devastated with the news of Frank Pellegrino Sr.’s death, far too soon in his life, to such an unfair disease. He was just a brave-hearted, strong and charismatic man. He brought good energies and smiles wherever he went. … May he be with God, singing ‘My Girl’ to the angels.”