Ruscio, Al

Al Ruscio (June 2, 1924 - Nov. 12, 2013) is an American character actor who has appeared in numerous television series and films.

Mr. Ruscio grew up in the Ward 3 neighborhood of Salem, based around St. Mary's Italian Church. Though he has lived many places, he still considers Salem his home. He was a news carrier in the Derby Street area and an altar boy at St. Mary's Church.

He credits his Salem High School English teacher, Mr. John Tellier for encouraging him in speech and drama. He graduated Salem High in 1941.

His family 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. His photograph hangs in the store downtown.

Some of the TV shows he has appeared in are: Barney Miller, Marcus Welby, M.D., Bonanza, Rockford Files, Gunsmoke, T.J. Hooker, and Cagney and Lacey.

In addition to television work, Ruscio has had roles 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).

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Ruscio, Al

"Al Ruscio:silver screen artist won't forget his roots" Salem Evening News, Oct. 1, 1990, p. 9

"Native who went Hollywood sells poems to benefit scholarships" Salem Evening News, May 20, 1997, p. C3

"Salem loses a home-grown Hollywood actor" Salem News, Nov. 22, 2013