Peter Boyle Dead at Age 71

Actor Peter Boyle, probably best known for his role of the Frankenstein monster in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" has died last night at the age of 71.

Boyle had been in poor health and had been admitted to New York City's Presbyterian Hospital for heart related issues.

He starred in "Crazy Joe", a movie about Joey Gallo, in 1974. The movie was a "cheap" answer to "The Godfather" but was fairly well-done (even if it is dated by today's standards).

Even though he was best known for his comedy roles he was a good dramatic actor as well. His role of Joe McCarthy in "Tail Gunner Joe" was excellently done.

I agree about TAIL GUNNER JOE. Glad I'm not the only one that saw it.

This gives me momentum finally to review THE DREAM TEAM. Tsk Tsk Tsk, this news sucks.

Boyle had a great run in the 70's. In addition to "Young Frankenstein", "Crazy Joe" and "Tail Gunner Joe" he appeared in a few other really decent flicks (including "Taxi Driver") but my favorite was his role in the tv version of "From Here to Eternity" (he reprised Ernest Borgnine's part as the sargeant in charge of the stockade).

Good actor gone too soon.

Sad news, indeed.

I enjoyed him in Taxi Driver, but I'll remember him most for his role as Frank Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond.

"Holy crap!"


Rest in peace.

Back in 1986, Peter Boyle starred in a very short-lived series called Joe Bash. He played a policeman in this comedy-drama.

If I remember correctly, it was created by the same person who did Barney Miller.

Nobody seems to remember it, and since there were very few episodes, it was never rerun. A pity because it was quite good.

Signor V.

He was great in Young Frankenstein, and in the many other films and television shows he did. RIP

He was a very talented actor with a keen sense of comedy as well as drama. Another film, in which he appeared, was Monster's Ball. He'll be missed.

I liked him in his movie about the Gallo brothers. But, I didn't like his character in Raymond - he was unnecessarily crude inthat.

I like his screen presence. Its always sad to see these guys go but of course they lived longer than a LOT of their 'black and white-movie' peers did.

Ah, well. That is a shame. I will always love his tap number in Young Frankenstein, Puttin on the Ritz! He was a great all around actor.

OMG! What a shame. I always enjoyed his stuff.

Of course everyone knows him from Young Frankenstein, and Everybody loves Raymond. But he did a whole lot of hollywood stuff throughout his acting career. He was on many different TV shows, shows like NYPD Blue, Cagney and Laci, and several others.

But one movie that no one ever seems to mention is "The Dream Team" with Michael Keaton. He was hilarious in that movie. And one of his serious roles that I always thought he did well in was from the movie "F.I.S.T." with Sylvester Stallone.




What sad news this is.

R.I.P. Mr. Boyle



Don Cardi

How sad.

The first time I saw him was in an episode of the X-Files. To date, his episode is probably the best X-Files episode I've ever seen. I think he even won an Emmy for his guest spot on that episode.

Don Sicilia -

You have to do yourself a favor and rent "The Dream Team."

He ,along with the cast of characters in that movie, is hilarious. A very funny movie.


Don Cardi

He did. I was interested in that. What was his role? And why was it so good?

It's been years since I've seen it but if I recall correctly, Mulder and Scully sought help from Peter Boyle's character, who was a psychic, to solve a murder case.

See here for more info:

Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose

It was a very dramatic and although I don't remember much of what happened, I do remember how I felt after watching it - "WOW. That's great acting. Who is this guy?" (not knowing who Peter Boyle was at the time).

Thanks for the recommendation, DC.

This is horrible. RIP

I'll always remember him as The Wizard.

He was outstanding in "The Friends of Eddie Coyle," a not-bad film of one of the greatest crime novels ever written. I also enjoyed his bits as Sipowicz' AA sponsor in "NYPD Blue."

"Young Frankenstein" was classic. And, yeah, I loved his bit part in "Taxi Driver," particulary the way he looks at Bickle near the end as if thinking, "Yeah, your lights on but nobody's home." Naturally, Frank Barone was an irreplacable character...holy crap. I'll miss ol' Pete.

An interesting fact about Peter Boyle I heard today.

The best man at his 1977 wedding was none other than John Lennon.

I am so sad by this news.....

I will always remember him as Frank Barone
RIP...

Listen suny If youre having trouble making the wee whackee woo hoo, you didnt get that from me!

Peter Boyles role in young frankenstein as the monster was great!

My favorite scene was his "Puttin on the Ritz" duet with Gene Wilder.

Mine too!
For those who haven't seen the movie or can't recall the scene just click over HERE!

( Dressed up like a million dollar trouper Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper )

Actually I forgot it was Boyle in Young Frankenstein. That was a great role. He'll always be Frank Barone to me though. So mean, so sarcastic, and yet very funny!!! Sorry to hear this sad news.

TIS

Interesting trivial fact:

Besides his great portrayals in Young Frankenstein and Everybody Loves Raymond, Peter Boyle starred in Joe, Crazy Joe, Tail Gunner Joe and the aforementioned Joe Bash.

Make of it what you will.

(I still wish they'd show Crazy Joe so I could finally get to see it!)

Signor V.

Vitelli -

I've been waiting for that movie to be shown for years now. It is never on cable or regular TV. I can't even find it on VHS let alone DVD.

If you enjoy the Crazy Joe Gallo stories, then I suggest that you read ( if you haven't done so already ) "The Sixth Family" which was written by Gallo's bodyguard Pete "The Greek" Diapoulos. Excellent book.


Don Cardi

Its worth seeing, but it was cheap takeoff on the fame that "The Godfather" garnered back then. Boyle was very good in it.

I have a vague memory of seeing parts of it on New York's Channel 9 back in the '70s.

But, frankly, a lot of the '70s are a vague memory to me!

Signor V.

After seeing pix of you when you were younger that doesn't surprise me.

Ha ha ha!!!! I know what you mean, but that's a whole other topic now isn't it?


TIS

Thank you, Don Zadjali. That was an unexpected treat.

He played a good part as an Irish gangster in Men Of Respect, an otherwise ill conceived film with John Turturro.

Your Welcome klydon1 :).

Men Of Respect, never heard of it...
Is it a good movie?

Do you remember who reprised Sinatra's role as Maggio?




Don Cardi

Sure do.... it was Joey Pants (in a REALLY good role!).

You are the man SC! He was basically an unknown back then. I thought that he did an excellent job in that role.


Don Cardi

It was the first time I had ever seen him act. I grumbled that they got an UNKNOWN for the Frank Sinatra part (when the mini-series started) but was VERY pleasantly surprised by how he handled that difficult role (after it finished).