Born: June 2, 1924, Salem, MA
Died: November 12, 2013, Encino, CA
Spouse: Kate Williamson (m. 1954–2013)
Education: Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre
Children: Elizabeth Ruscio, Nina Ruscio, Maria Ruscio, Michael Ruscio
Alfred Ruscio was an American character actor who appeared in numerous television series and dozens of major motion pictures. Mr. Ruscio grew up near St. Mary’s Italian Church in the Ward 3 neighborhood of Salem. He was a news carrier in the Derby Street area and an altar boy at St. Mary’s Church. Throughout his life, he credited his Salem High School English teacher, Mr. John Tellier, for encouraging him in speech and drama. He graduated Salem High in 1941. His family also lived on Prescott Street for many years, and his sister, Flora LaVecchio still lives in Salem. He was friends with the Ingemi family who own Steve’s Market, and his photograph hangs in the store.
Mr. Ruscio made appearances on Barney Miller, Marcus Welby, M.D., Bonanza, Rockford Files, Gunsmoke, T.J. Hooker, and Cagney & Lacey. He appeared in several films including Any Which Way You Can (1980) with Clint Eastwood, Jagged Edge (1985) starring Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges, The Godfather: Part III (1990), Guilty by Suspicion (1991) with Robert De Niro, Showgirls (1995), and The Phantom (1996).
In addition to his many accomplishments, Mr. Ruscio taught college acting classes, wrote a drama text, a book of poetry, and served on the board of directors of the Screen Actors Guild.
Ruscio, Al. Salem Links & Lore.
Salem loses a home-grown Hollywood actor. Salem News, 22 Nov. 2013.
Al Ruscio: silver screen artist won’t forget his roots. Salem Evening News, 1 Oct. 1990, p. 9.
Native who went Hollywood sells poems to benefit scholarships. Salem Evening News, 20 May 1997, p. C3.
Available @ the Library
DVDs
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
Showgirls (1995)
The Phantom (1996)
Books
An Actor’s Journey into Poetry (1997)
Legendary Locals of Salem, A. Ruscio, p. 104.