Vincent Schiavelli
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Biography
Droopy-eyed character actor whose "Monster Mash" looks are as memorable as the sweetly creepy bit parts he has played. Schiavelli lends an unforgettably Gothic air to otherwise minute roles, such as Fredrickson in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) Salieri's valet in "Amadeus" (1984) and the Subway Ghost in "Ghost" (1990). He also has had an extensive TV career of piquant guest spots on episodes of "Moonlighting" and "Miami Vice" among other series. Schiavelli began in feature films in 1971 with "Taking Off" and continued in small roles for most of the decade. He was a check out man in "For Pete's Sake" (1974), a guard in "Butch & Sundance: The Early Years" (1979), and a monk in "The Frisco Kid" (1979). Film roles were sporadic in the 80s, but in the 90s, Schiavelli could be seen as the organ grinder in "Batman Returns" (1992), Chester, one of Larry Flynt's minions in "The People Versus Larry Flynt" (1996) for his "Cuckoo's Nest" director Milos Forman, and as the jailer in "The Beautician and the Beast" (1997). He first had a regular role on a TV series in 1972, playing a male fashion designer on "The Corner Bar," then in the late 70s had a recurring role on ABC's "Taxi" as the Reverend Gorky. In 1982, he played the eccentric science teacher Mr. Vargas in the feature "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and repeated the role in the 1986 short-lived TV series version.
Filmography
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Life Events
1971
Film debut "Taking Off"
1972
Was regular on the ABC summer sitcom "The Corner Bar"
1978
Made TV movie debut in "Return From Gilligan's Island" (CBS)
1978
Made first of recurring roles as Rev. Gorky on "Taxi" (ABC)
1982
Played eccentric science teacher Mr. Vargas in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"
1984
Played Salieri's valet in "Amadeus"
1986
Recreated role of Mr. Vargas in TV series "Fast Times" (CBS)
1990
Had showy co-starring role as a spirit who assists Patrick Swayze in the hit film "Ghost"
1997
Played the jailer in "The Beautician and the Beast"
2001
Directed a theater piece in Sicily, based on nine fables
2007
Cast in the Italian film, "The Golden Door" written and directed by Emanuele Crialese; character was originally planned to play a major part, but he died during the filming, forcing his role to become a supporting character
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