Jilly Rizzo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ermenegildo Rizzo May 6, 1917
New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 6, 1992 (aged 75) |
| Resting place | Desert Memorial Park |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Restaurateur and entertainer |
| Children | 3 |
Ermenegildo "Jilly" Rizzo (May 6, 1917 – May 6, 1992) was an American restaurateur and entertainer.
Career
As a young man, Rizzo worked with his father delivering Italian ice to cafes. Rizzo opened Jilly's Saloon, a lounge on West 49th Street, then moved to 256 West 52nd Street at the intersection with Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. Jilly's Saloon was a popular celebrity hangout in the 1960s. Rizzo's long-time friend Frank Sinatra frequented the lounge. [1] Rizzo later became one of Sinatra's chief aides, and was even referenced in Sinatra's adapted lyrics for " Mrs. Robinson" to avoid using the name "Jesus". Rizzo was also a frequent guest on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, where he would recite one liners in his monotone New York accent.
In 1990, Rizzo and five other men were convicted of fraud in relation to an $8 million loan scheme. He was given 1,000 hours of community service in a case presided over by judge Jack B. Weinstein. [2]
Death
Rizzo was killed by a drunk driver in Rancho Mirage, CA on his 75th birthday, May 6, 1992. [2] [3] He is buried in Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California. [2]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The Manchurian Candidate | Jilly | Uncredited |
| 1967 | Tony Rome | Card player | Uncredited |
| 1968 | The Detective | Bartender | Uncredited |
| 1984 | Cannonball Run II | Jilly | |
| 1985 | Year of the Dragon | Schiro | |
| 1987 | The Pick-up Artist | Casino Floor Manager | |
| 1990 | Eternity | Jilly | (final film role) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–1971 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | Himself | 8 episodes |
| 1977 | The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Frank Sinatra | Himself | Television special |
| 1974–1978 | Kojak | Various roles | 2 episodes |
See also
References
- ^ Talese, Gay (April 1966). "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold". Esquire. No. Wikipedia describes the article here. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ a b c "Jilly Rizzo, Close Aide To Sinatra, Killed at 75". The New York Times. 7 May 1992. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
- ^ Kraft, Scott (17 July 2010). "Parole battle pits Sinatra family against killer of singer's right-hand man". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
External links
- Jilly Rizzo at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
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- 1917 births
- 1992 deaths
- American male film actors
- American people of Italian descent
- American restaurateurs
- Burials at Desert Memorial Park
- Businesspeople from New York City
- Road incident deaths in California
- 20th-century American male actors
- 20th-century American musicians
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- Television personalities from New York City
- American business biography, 1910s birth stubs
- American entertainer stubs