- Aiello reportedly died on Thursday night ‘at a medical facility in New Jersey’
- He ‘suffered an infection related to his treatment’ for a sudden illness
- Danny is known for roles in Do The Right Thing, Moonstruck and Hudson Hawk
- He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Spike Lee’s film
- Aiello played Tony Rosato in Godfather Part II, and recited the infamous line: ‘Michael Corleone says hello!’
- He also played Madonna’s father in her iconic Papa Don’t Preach music video
- Spike Lee, who directed Do The Right Thing, posted a tribute on Instagram following the news of Aiello’s death
Danny Aiello, a veteran stage and film actor remembered for his roles in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing and Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo, has died at a New Jersey medical center at age 86.
Cher, Spike Lee and Charlize Theron were just a few of the celebrities to pay tribute to Aiello online following his death.
The popular character star, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Sal in Do The Right Thing, reportedly died on Thursday night at a medical facility in New Jersey.
‘Danny was a Great Actor, But a Genius Comedic Actor.We Laughed so much. Making #Moonstruck,’ she wrote. ‘It was one of the happiest times in my life,& He Was apart of that Happy time. Goodbye #JohnnyCammareri.’
Director Spike Lee took to Instagram to share a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps while working with Aiello on Do The Right Thing.
‘I’m [heart] Broken. Just Found Out My Brother DANNY AIELLO Made His Transition Last Night,’ he wrote. ‘Danny, We Made Cinema History Together With DO THE RIGHT THING. May You Rest In PARADISE.’