Nicholas Colasanto Video | Celebrity Interview and Paparazzi

Nicholas Colasanto (January 19, 1924 – February 12, 1985) was an American actor and television director. Colasanto was best known for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the sitcom Cheers. He also appeared in feature films, including Fat City and Family Plot. Colasanto attended Bryant University, now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and was a decorated veteran of World War II. After 20 years of alcoholism, he became an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and became sober in 1976. An in-demand director, he had been diagnosed with heart disease in the mid-1970s, which was exacerbated... MORE

Nicholas Colasanto (January 19, 1924 – February 12, 1985) was an American actor and television director. Colasanto was best known for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the sitcom Cheers. He also appeared in feature films, including Fat City and Family Plot. Colasanto attended Bryant University, now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and was a decorated veteran of World War II. After 20 years of alcoholism, he became an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and became sober in 1976. An in-demand director, he had been diagnosed with heart disease in the mid-1970s, which was exacerbated by his alcoholism. He began having trouble securing directing jobs by the end of the 1970s due to his declining health. His last major film role was that of mob boss Tommy Como in Raging Bull. Colasanto was prepared to retire when the role of Coach Ernie Pantusso was offered to him on Cheers. Coach would become Colasanto's best known role. Colasanto's heart disease had worsened by the third season of Cheers. Castmates noticed his weight loss, though the actor chose to keep the severity of his illness a secret. Shortly after the Christmas holiday in 1984, he was admitted to a local hospital due to LESS