Tony Longo

Tony Longo
Longo as Zeke Braxton on Drake & Josh
Born(1961-08-19)August 19, 1961
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedJune 20, 2015(2015-06-20) (aged 53)
Marina del Rey, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • painter
Years active1977–2015
Spouse
Jamie Briggs
​
(m. 1992)​
Children3

Anthony Longo (August 19, 1961 – June 20, 2015) was an American actor who appeared in seventy films and nearly ninety television shows.

Early life and education

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Longo attended Marist High School in Bayonne, New Jersey, and the University of Rhode Island.

Career

Because of his 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 300 lb (140 kg) frame, Longo was often chosen for roles that depict him as an imposing giant with freakish strength, and sub-standard intelligence, such as Mad Dog in the 1980s comedy/drama 1st and Ten where he was a linebacker for the fictional football team, the California Bulls. Mad Dog was paired with fellow linebacker Dr. Death, played by actor Donald Gibb who has had a career playing similar roles as Longo. He also appeared in Suburban Commando starring Hulk Hogan as a bounty hunter alongside The Undertaker.

Longo appeared in numerous television series, including The Equalizer, Family Matters, The Facts of Life, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Laverne & Shirley, Simon & Simon, Alice, Perfect Strangers, High Tide, Renegade, Sydney, Las Vegas, Six Feet Under, Drake & Josh, and Monk.

His film credits include Sixteen Candles, Mulholland Drive, Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw, The Last Boy Scout, the 1994 version of Angels in the Outfield, The Cooler, Eraser, Suburban Commando, and The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.

Death

Longo died in his sleep at his home in Marina del Rey, California, on June 21, 2015, at the age of 53 after a long battle with congestive heart failure and kidney issues. He was survived by his daughters Chloe Longo and Danielle Schramm, his stepdaughter Alexis Dejoria, and his wife of 23 years, Jamie Briggs.

Filmography

Film

Television

Tony Longo television credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1982 CHiPs Sly
Laverne & Shirley Tank Malone 1 episode
Madame's Place Lou Episode: "Naked Lou from Malibu"
1982–1984 Alice Artie 5 episodes
1983–1986 Simon & Simon Sylvester / Wally Luger / Colonel Debarri / Smith 4 episodes
1984 The Facts of Life Hacksaw 1 episode
1987 Perfect Strangers Fat Jack 2 episodes
1988 The Equalizer Young Episode: "Regrets Only"
1990 Full House Tough Prisoner 1 episode
1990 Sydney Lenny 1 episode
1991 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Otis 1 episode
1993–1996 Renegade Bugs / Goochie / Danny Carr 3 episodes
1994 A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor Will TV movie
1995 Get Smart Agent 0 - Factory Worker 1 episode
1995 High Tide Angelo 1 episode
1997 Family Matters Butterball 1 episode
1997–1998 Police Academy: The Series Luke Kackley 26 episodes
1999 The X-Files Dominic 1 episode
2002 Six Feet Under Bitsy 1 episode
2004 Drake & Josh Zeke Braxton 1 episode
2004 That's So Raven Python 1 episode
2005 Monk Second Union Official 1 episode
2006 Las Vegas Dino "Slim" 1 episode

References

  1. 1 2 Barnes, Mike (23 June 2015). "Character Actor Tony Longo Dies at 53". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Obituary of Anthony Longo", Asbury Park Press, November 6, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2017. "Tony was born in Jersey City NJ, attended OLM Grammar School, Marist High School in Bayonne, and the University of Rhode Island (URI) where he studied Drama."
  3. ↑ Petski, Denise (June 22, 2015). "Tony Longo Dies: Veteran Character Actor Was 53". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2022.