Overview
Frank Joseph Pellegrino (May 19, 1944 – January 31, 2017) was an American actor, restaurateur and writer. He became known as a character actor who frequently portrayed neighborhood figures and mob-related roles on film and television, while also managing and promoting the historic New York restaurant Rao's. Pellegrino published cookbooks that celebrated the recipes and traditions of his family and restaurant.
Early life and background
Pellegrino was born and raised in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, a cultural setting that influenced both his culinary and acting careers. His roots in East Harlem and the wider city of New York were a recurring theme in his public persona and in the menus and stories he preserved through his restaurant and books.
Acting career
As a working character actor, Pellegrino appeared across film and television over several decades. He is best remembered for parts in notable productions such as:
His performances were often praised for their authenticity and for bringing a lived-in New York quality to supporting roles.
Rao's, writing and culinary work
Pellegrino was a co-owner of the celebrated East Harlem restaurant Rao's in New York City, a small, family-run establishment with a long history. In connection with the restaurant he authored and co-authored cookbooks that compiled recipes, anecdotes and the culinary traditions of the neighborhood; these projects are referenced as part of his work as a cookbook author.
Family and legacy
His son, Frank "Frankie" Pellegrino Jr., followed him into the restaurant business and continued the family's culinary presence in the city. Pellegrino's combination of on-screen work and dedication to a storied neighborhood restaurant made him a recognizable figure in New York cultural life.
Death and final notes
Frank Pellegrino died in Manhattan on January 31, 2017, at the age of 72. The cause of death was lung cancer. Obituaries and tributes noted both his entertainment career and his role as a keeper of Rao's traditions, and continued references to his life appear in profiles and remembrances of New York's cultural and culinary history. For more on his career and life see additional resources and biographies here.
Further reading: filmographies and restaurant histories are available through archived profiles and interviews online and in culinary collections about Rao's.