Tom Pedi


Thomas Joseph Pedi was an American actor whose work included roles on stage, television and film in a career spanning 50 years. He was particularly well-known for his portrayal of Rocky, the night barman, in The Iceman Cometh, a part which he originated and played on stage, film and television. Pedi was the cousin of voice actress Christine Pedi.

Early life

Pedi was born in Brooklyn, the son of Angelo Pedi and Carmen Raimondo. He attended New Utrecht High School, graduating in 1933.

Career

Pedi made his professional debut in 1937 as Benito Mussolini in the Harold Rome revue, Pins and Needles.

Personal life and death

On August 7, 1953, Pedi married Philadelphia-born showgirl Stacey Hunter in London, while in the midst of an extended engagement with the touring company of Guys and Dolls. By the time the couple returned to the U.S. the following October, they had a young son, Alexander, in tow.
Pedi died of a heart attack on December 29, 1996, at age 83, in Burbank, California. His cremated remains are interred at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton, California.

Performances

Theater

Except where indicated, listings come from the Internet Broadway Database.
StartEndTitleRole
September 28, 1937Pins and NeedlesBenito Mussolini
December 21, 1941February 7, 1942Brooklyn USAThe Dasher
October 27, 1945November 17, 1945Beggars Are Coming to TownHeinz
October 9, 1946March 15, 1947The Iceman ComethRocky Pioggi
February 10, 1949November 18, 1950Death of a SalesmanStanley
September 29, 1955February 4, 1956A View from the Bridge / A Memory of Two MondaysMike / Mechanic
February 28, 1957July 13, 1957A Hole in the HeadLenny
March 23, 1963April 6, 1963My Mother, My Father and MeTonio Crazzo
November 11, 1963November 16, 1963The Resistible Rise of Arturo UiBodyguard
April 28, 1965
April 20, 1955
November 24, 1950		May 9, 1965
May 31, 1955
November 28, 1953		Guys and DollsHarry the Horse
October 4, 1966December 31, 1966The InvestigationThe Accused
April 18, 1968April 20, 1968Mike DownstairsPaul

Pedi also performed in the premiere of the stage version of State Fair at The Muny in St. Louis in 1969. The show had a two week run.

Film

Television

Except where indicated, listings come from the Internet Movie Database.
YearSeriesRoleNotes
1949Repertory TheatreEpisode: "The Five Lives of Richard Gordon"
1949The Chevrolet Tele-TheatreEpisode: "The Door"
1950The Stage DoorRocco
1952Repertory TheatreJoeEpisode: "Rich Boy"
1956StanleyMr. FerrisEpisode: "Opera Tickets"
1958DecoyMaxie PardoEpisode: "Odds Against the Jockey"
1958OmnibusBoloEpisode: "The So-Called Human Race"
1958Adventures of the Sea HawkLe GrossEpisode #1.23
1960Play of the WeekRockyEpisode: The Iceman Cometh Parts: 1 & 2
1967The Edge of NightHectorEpisode #1.3048
1970That GirlTonyEpisode: "The Night They Raided Daddy's"
1971Night GalleryMr. BoucherEpisode: "A Fear of Spiders"
1970–1971ArnieJulius15 episodes
1972The Family RicoAngeloTV movie
1973The New Treasure HuntVariousUncredited
1973MaudeMr. BungayEpisode: "Maude Takes a Job"
1973Lotsa LuckFirst Moving ManEpisode: "The Family Plot"Arnie"
1974McMillan & WifeNews VendorEpisode: "Cross & Double Cross"
1974Dominic's DreamUncle WillieTV movie
1974KojakFilacchioneEpisode: "You Can't Tell a Hurt Man How to Holler"
1975The Mary Tyler Moore ShowAlEpisode: "The System"
1975The Odd CoupleLouie MenninniEpisode: "Old Flames Never Die"
1975Lucas TannerPolicemanEpisode: "The Noise of a Quiet Weekend"
1976McCloudSanta ClausEpisode: "'Twas the Fight Before Christmas..."
1977SerpicoNickEpisode: "The Party of Your Choice"
1977Black Market BabyUncle SanchiTV movie
1978CHiPsBrunoEpisode: "Vintage '54"
1978Human FeelingsFrankTV movie
1979The RopersMoving ManEpisode: "Friends and Neighbors"
1979StoneAaron AbromowitzTV movie
1987Laguna HeatJimmy HylkamaTV movie,