Robert Loggia, an Academy Award-nominated actor who embodied both swagger and mischievous charm, notably as a too-trusting Miami crime boss in “Scarface,” died Friday at his home in Los Angeles from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 85.
Loggia, who could be both sly and sweet, carried an everyman’s understanding and a con-man’s cleverness to roles ranging from the owner of a toy company opposite Tom Hanks in “Big” to his Oscar-nominated turn as sordid private detective Sam Ransom in “Jagged Edge,” written by Joe Eszterhas and starring Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges.
He was born in Staten Island, N.Y., on Jan. 3 1930, played in memorable dramas and comedies during the 1980s and ‘90s. His resume included “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Prizzi’s Honor” and “The Ninth Configuration.”
Though he was nominated for a lead actor in a drama Emmy for his portrayal of a nonconformist investigator in “Mancuso, F.B.I.,” Loggia was less than pleased with the experience.
“I really believed in that character,” he told The Times in 1991. “I wanted to do it, and Brandon Tartikoff [then NBC president] promised me that if I agreed to do it he would make it right. But it didn’t happen with NBC Productions (the company that produced the series), which is a separate entity from Brandon and NBC. They didn’t make the show that was promised me and that I promised affiliates and sponsors.”
Loggia said the show was supposed to tell “bonafide” FBI stories. “They started to go into demographics and whom my secretary was sleeping with and Frick and Frack with a lady partner,” he said. “FBI people don’t have partners to begin with, so it was like the sexual escapade of the week.”
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The former national security advisor helped craft President Clinton’s foreign policy from 1997 to 2001, when the administration carried out airstrikes in Kosovo and against Saddam Hussein’s forces in Iraq. He previously had worked in the State Department in President Jimmy Carter’s administration. He was 70. Full obituary
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The Scottish drummer replaced Ringo Starr as the Beatles’ drummer on their first single, “Love Me Do.” The song, all 2 minutes and 22 seconds of it, was a hit, but after the session, White never played with the Beatles again. He was 85. Full obituary
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The West German chancellor was known for shepherding his country through tough economic times, pushing it closer to eventual reunification with Communist East Germany and facing down a band of domestic terrorists. He was 96. Full obituary
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Chef Paul Prudhomme popularized spicy Louisiana cuisine and became one of the first American restaurant chefs to achieve worldwide fame. He was 75. Full obituary
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In an era when few minorities of any kind belonged to Los Angeles’ social and civic elite, Marilyn Hudson was sometimes seen as the token black. The local civic leader broke barriers quietly at a time when racial militancy was in vogue. She was 88. Full obituary
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Susumu Ito, a member of a Japanese American regiment that rescued another group of U.S. soldiers during World War II, went on to become a professor and researcher at Harvard Medical School. He was 96. Full obituary
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The designer was a force for working women who wanted a stylish but affordable look. Her eponymous brand became a favorite of career women. She was 80. Full obituary
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Considered one of the iconic figures of modern jazz, Woods was also thought of by some as the rightful heir to Charley “Bird” Parker. He may be best known to pop audiences for his alto saxophone work on Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are,” Steely Dan’s “Doctor Wu” and Paul Simon’s “Have a Good Time.” He was 83. Full obituary
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One of the best centers to ever play in the NBA, Malone was named to the NBA’s 50th anniversary all-time team and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA championship in 1983, when he also won the most valuable player award, one of three in his 21-year career. The 14-time All-Star entered the Hall of Fame in 2001. He was 60. Full obituary
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(Dan Grossi / Associated Press)
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(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
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The veteran producer-director brought Hollywood headliners into America’s living rooms through live television in the 1950s. His creative partnership with Norman Lear produced such films as “Come Blow Your Horn,” “Divorce American Style” and groundbreaking television sitcoms such as “All in the Family,” “Maude” and “Sanford and Son.” He was 89. Full obituary
(Harry Langdon / Associated Press)
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Charismatic and eloquent, the civil rights leader had numerous key accomplishments, including co-founding the landmark Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and serving as board chairman of the NAACP. He was 75. Full obituary
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After being shot in the face during a bar fight at 23 and losing his sight, Manning went on to become a poet, athlete and founder of a theater company in Watts. He was 60. Full obituary
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The British pop singer had a string of hits starting in 1964 with “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and “You’re My World.” Starting in the 1980s, she became an enormously popular personality on British TV. She was 72. Full obituary
(William Vanderson / Getty Images)
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The Egyptian-born actor, right, rose to international acclaim after starring with Peter O’Toole in “Lawrence of Arabia.” He went on to make some 90 movies in his career, including “Doctor Zhivago” and “Funny Girl.” He was 83. Full obituary
(Columbia TriStar / Getty Images)
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In a career that spanned half a century, Weintraub proved a force in the worlds of music, film and television. He had an eye for talent, discovering a little-known singer-songwriter named John Denver, for example, and launching him to international stardom. Weintraub was 77. Full obituary
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A stage and screen actor, Van Patten was most famous for starring as loving father Tom Bradford in the television series “Eight Is Enough.” His roles in movies included “Soylent Green,” “High Anxiety” and “Spaceballs.” He was 86. Full obituary
(Boris Yaro / Los Angeles Times)
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One of the first superstar chefs, Vergé, pictured here with actor John Travolta, was known for light, fresh and artfully plated food. He turned his restaurant, Le Moulin de Mougins in France, into a landmark of French gastronomy and a beacon of nouvelle cuisine. He was 85. Full obituary
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Ronnie Gilbert , pictured second to the right, was a member of the folk group the Weavers, who, at their peak, were known for spirited renditions of famous folk songs -- as well as antiwar protest songs that would lead to their temporary disbandment during the Red Scare. The group made a successful comeback three years later, going on to inspire other folk performers like the Kingston Trio. She was 88. Full obituary
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Prior to his surrender to U.S. forces in 2003, Tarik Aziz was known as the diplomatic symbol of the Iraqi government, the man Saddam Hussein deployed to convey his message to the world. He had been in custody since his surrender. He was 79. Full obituary
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Son of Vice President Joe Biden, Beau Biden was the former attorney general for the state of Delaware and a U.S. Army captain. A promising young figure in
Democratic Party
politics, Beau was considered a leading contender in next year’s governor’s election in Delaware. He was 46. Full obituary
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The
Nobel Prize
winner transformed economics and was known as one of the greatest mathematicians of his time. The inspiration for
Ron Howard
’s 2001 Oscar-winning film “A Beautiful Mind,” he eventually recovered from his devastating illness, defying a common misconception about schizophrenia. He was 86. Full obituary
(AFP / Getty Images)
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The blues legend took the musical genre from the barrooms and back porches of the Mississippi Delta to Carnegie Hall and the world’s toniest concert stages. The 15-time Grammy winner created a unique style that made him one of the most respected and influential blues musicians ever. He was 89. Full obituary
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Best known for her role as the clueless mother of a confused, young Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) in “The Graduate,” Wilson also acted in more than 30 movies and numerous Broadway plays. She was 94. Full obituary
(Archive Photos / Getty Images)
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The ex-wife of Johnny Carson, Joanne Carson was married to “The Tonight Show” host from 1963 to 1972. She later in life became a confidant of
Truman Capote
. She was 83. Full obituary
(Hulton Archive / Getty Images)
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The conceptual artist left a long-lasting legacy with “Urban Light,” the ranks of vintage lampposts tightly arrayed outside the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
. Installed in 2008, it rapidly became something of an L.A. symbol. Burden was 69. Full obituary
(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
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Blake won a 1991 screenwriting Oscar for
Kevin Costner
‘s film “Dances With Wolves,” which became the first western to win a best picture Academy Award since “Cimarron” in 1931. He was 69. Full obituary
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A celebrated Russian ballerina famous for her swan-like arms, powerful leaps and rebel spirit on and off the stage, Plisetskaya was renowned for passionate performances that contrasted with the ethereal style of many other dancers. She was 89. Full obituary
(AFP / Getty Images)
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Meadows was known for her work on the game show “I’ve Got a Secret.” The show also introduced her to the man who became her second husband, Steve Allen, above with Meadows in 1979, who was the first host of NBC’s “Tonight Show.” Until his death in 2000, they were one of the most recognizable performing couples in Hollywood. She was 95. Full obituary
(Martha Hartnett / Los Angeles Times)
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King, a singer-songwriter, had one of the most enduring hits ever with “Stand By Me.” He was also known for his solo hits “Spanish Harlem” and “I (Who Have Nothing),” and “There Goes My Baby” and “Save the Last Dance for Me” with the Drifters. He was 76. Full obituary
(AFP / Getty Images)
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(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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He built the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove as the embodiment of an upbeat, modern vision of Christianity, only to see his ministry shattered by family discord and financial ruin. He was 88. Full obituary
(Al Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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The science teacher turned weatherman who joined KABC-TV in 1972 and spent nearly two decades exuberantly delivering the local forecast was 92. Full obituary.
(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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While presiding over a government that squelched dissent and characterizing opponents as “mediocrities and opportunists,” he transformed the backwater city-state of Singapore into one of the world’s most efficient and prosperous international business centers. Full obituary.
(Wong Maye-E / Associated Press)
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The constitutional scholar with a modest manner and a homespun sense of humor was a former chancellor of UC Irvine and president of the UC system for three years in the 1990s. He was 91. Full obituary.
(Dwayne Newton / Associated Press)
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The pioneering figure in postmodern design in the 1980s and ‘90s added historical ornament and bright color to prominent and often controversial buildings. As a product designer, he brought high-design housewares to a broad public. He was 80.
Full obituary (Chris Felver / Getty Images)
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As the University of Notre Dame’s president for 35 years, he helped build the university into an academic powerhouse. He was once featured on the cover of Time magazine, which described him as the most influential figure in the reshaping of Catholic education. He was 97.
Full obituary (Joe Raymond / Associated Press)
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A versatile jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player, Terry played with musical greats including Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. As part of the NBC “Tonight Show” Orchestra, he was the network’s first African American staff musician. He was 94.
Full obituary (AFP / Getty Images)
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The courtly real estate developer and arts philanthropist was instrumental in transforming Orange County from a provincial bedroom community into a nexus of culture and commerce. He was 91.
Full obituary (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)
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The auto marketing guru spearheaded Nissan’s launch into the U.S. car market. He’s credited as the executive who helped Japanese autos gain acceptance in the U.S. He was 105.
Full obituary (Tsugufumi Matsumoto / Associated Press)
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The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. poet laureate wrote elegies to American blue-collar workers sweating through despair-laced jobs. He wanted to “find a voice for the voiceless,” he told Detroit magazine. He was 87.
Full obituary (Gary Kazanjian / Associated Press)
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The radio broadcaster vaulted to fame playing the zany announcer in the landmark TV comedy series “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.” He was 80.
Full obituary (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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An accomplished architect, Jerde created “experience” malls and related projects -- including Universal CityWalk and Horton Plaza in San Diego. He also helped oversee the design of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He was 75.
Full obituary (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
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Known as the “Jackie Robinson of golf,” Sifford was the first black player to earn a Professional Golfers Assn. of America membership card. His success helped clear the way for generations of minority players. He was 92.
Full obituary (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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The Australian author wrote “The Thorn Birds,” her 1977 saga of a baronial outback family and a priest tormented by love. It sold millions of copies and was made into TV’s second-most-popular miniseries, topped only by “Roots.” She was 77.
Full obituary (Patrick Riviere / Getty Images)
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Abdullah guided the Saudi kingdom through the challenges posed by the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States, the war in neighboring Iraq, the disintegration of Syria, the upheavals of the “Arab Spring” and the rise of Islamic State. He was 90.
Full obituary (Brendan Smialowski / Associated Press)
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The three-term governor of New York was a fierce champion of liberal causes. A fiery orator, he became one of the Democratic Party’s most forceful voices on the need to address economic inequality. He was 82.
Full obituary (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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The son of one of the movie business’ original moguls, the younger Goldwyn started his own independent film company, which became a major force in 1980s and ‘90s Hollywood. He was 88.
Full obituary (Ellis R. Bosworth / Associated Press)
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The Grammy-winning singer and composer was known for pioneering a gospel sound with a contemporary feel. He influenced artists including Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Paul Simon. He also led services at the church his father founded in the San Fernando Valley. He was 72.
Full obituary (Brian Vander Brug / For the Times)
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A leading advocate for peace between Islam and other religions, Hathout for roughly three decades led the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles, one of the nation’s most influential mosques. He was 79.
Full obituary (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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The first African American elected to the U.S. Senate by popular vote, he was also the first Republican senator to call for President Nixon’s resignation over the Watergate scandal. He achieved a number of social firsts in the Senate, including the integration of its barbershop. He was 95.
Full obituary (Frank C. Curtin / Associated Press)
Often referred to as a tough guy, Loggia could be suave and tender. His voice could go raspy and then slip to silken. He was also playful. In “Big,” he and Hanks, a boy magically turned into a man, played “Chopsticks” while dancing over large, lighted piano keys on the floor. The film was directed by Penny Marshall.
But he excelled at playing men with rap sheets and unsettled demons. He appeared in “The Sopranos” as Michele “Feech” La Manna, who sought his place back in the mob after a prison stint. He once summed up his talent as: “I’m a character actor in that I play many different roles, and I’m virtually unrecognizable from one role to another. So I never wear out my welcome.”
The son of Italian immigrants, Loggia was raised in Manhattan’s Little Italy. As a student at the University of Missouri, he studied journalism, but that passion faded when he returned to New York and enrolled at the Actors Studio. In his first film ,in 1956, he played a mobster opposite Paul Newman in “Somebody Up There Likes Me,” based on the life of boxer Rocky Graziano.
He is survived by his wife, Audrey Loggia, and children.
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