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Anthony Franciosa (October 25, 1928 – January 19, 2006) was an American film, TV, and stage actor, usually billed as Tony Franciosa during the height of his career. He made several feature films, including Career (1959) for which he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor/Drama. In television, along with many minor parts, he played lead roles in 5 major TV series: the sitcom Valentine's Day (1964–65), drama The Name of the Game (1968–71), Search (1972–73), Matt Helm (1975) and Finder of Lost Loves (1984). However, he began as a successful stage actor, gaining a Tony Award nomination... MORE

Anthony Franciosa (October 25, 1928 – January 19, 2006) was an American film, TV, and stage actor, usually billed as Tony Franciosa during the height of his career. He made several feature films, including Career (1959) for which he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor/Drama. In television, along with many minor parts, he played lead roles in 5 major TV series: the sitcom Valentine's Day (1964–65), drama The Name of the Game (1968–71), Search (1972–73), Matt Helm (1975) and Finder of Lost Loves (1984). However, he began as a successful stage actor, gaining a Tony Award nomination for the drug-addiction play A Hatful of Rain. Although he married 4 times, the longest 36 years, to his last wife, Rita Theil, he had been married during 1957–1960 to Academy Award-winning actress Shelley Winters, who died 5 days before him. Born as Anthony George Papaleo to Italian-American parents, and raised by his mother and aunt, he adopted his mother's maiden name ("Franciosa") as his professional name. In 1948 he joined the Cherry Lane Theatre Group off Broadway (at the same time as actress Beatrice Arthur). Before he became successful at acting, he worked a variety of jobs which included being a LESS