Nicholas Colasanto: Summary

Recent Role:: Ernie "Coach" Pantusso (1982-1985) on Cheers

Gender:: Male

Birthday:: 1-19-1924

Death:: 2-12-1985

Birthplace:: Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Birth Name:: Nicola Colasanto

AKA:: Nick

Nicholas Colasanto, the actor and television director who achieved his greatest success as Coach on the TV series Cheers at the end of his career, was born January 19, 1924 in Providence, Rhode Island, one of seven children. He attended Providence's Central High School but did not graduate due to World War II, as he joined the Navy.

At the age of 28, he saw Henry Fonda perform on Broadway and was infected by the acting bug.

Colasanto was primarily a dramatic actor but the producers of the TV comedy Cheers cast him as Ernie Coach Pantusso, the absent-minded and dumb but lovable bartender. The role made him famous and he earned an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series each of the three years that he appeared on the show.

Sadly, at the height of his fame, he died from a heart ailment at his home on February 15th, 1985.

Cheers star Nick Colasanto had won many awards during his time with that hit show, which include:
1985 Nominated Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series(Cheers 1982)
1984 nominated Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series (Cheers 1982)
1985 Won Q award Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series (Cheers 1982) Nicholas Colasanto, the actor and television director who achieved his greatest success as Coach on the TV series Cheers at the end of his career, was born January 19, 1924 in Providence, Rhode Island, one of seven children. He attended Providence's Central High School but did not graduate due to World War II, as he joined the Navy.

At the age of 28, he saw...

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8.5
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nunomfilipe
member since: Sep 17, 2005
The famous Ernie "Coach" Pantusso ...Continue »
Nicholas Colasanto did make his contribution to the arts for over a quarter of a century. From his first appearance in the series "Playhouse 90" in 1959 to his dead in 1985, when I was filming the third season of "Cheers". Is contribution to both television were numerous both as an actor and as director.
Unfortunately, Nicholas Colasanto died before its time, with only 61, when he was playing the rule that make him famous Ernie "Coach" Pantusso in the TV series "Cheers". In is character "Coach", "Nicky", as he was known to the other "Cheers" star, was a funny character that for 3 years make his contribution as the "jester" in this cast.
It was unfortunately that he died before its time, while he still had a lot to give to "Cheers" and to the arts.
08/26/06 08:24am | report abuse