Joseph Bologna is an American actor who was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 30, 1934. He has had many roles in both television and the movies. His first venture into the media industry was producing and directing TV commercials. His breakthrough in front of the camera came when he starred in ‘Lovers and Other Strangers’, a movie written by his wife Renée Taylor. This led to him starring in many TV series and films throughout his successful career. Sadly, Joseph Bologna passed away on August 13, 2017, after battling pancreatic cancer. To commemorate this talented actor, here are five of his best movies.
1. My Favorite Year
Written by Dennis Palumbo and Norman Steinberg, ‘My Favorite Year’ is one of the movies for which Joseph Bologna is best-known. Directed by Richard Benjamin, this 1982 comedy film also starred Peter O’Toole, Jessica Harper, and Mark Linn-Baker. In the movie, Kark Linn-Baker is the narrator who is recounting the events of his favorite year, 1954. In 1992, the movie was adapted into a Broadway musical although this did not achieve the same level of success as the movie.
2. Blame It on Rio
Bologna starred alongside Michael Caine, Michelle Johnson, and Demi Moore in this 1984 romantic comedy. The movie centers around a trip to Rio and the relationships between those on the trip. This was the last film that Stanley Donen directed and the movie was written by Larry Gelbart and Charlie Peters. It is based on a French film called ‘Un Moment D’Égarement’ which was released in 1977.
3. Transylvania 6-5000
This horror comedy was released in 1985 and is about two reporters who travel to Transylvania to find out about sightings of Frankenstein. During their trip, they experience encounters with a vampire, a werewolf, and a mummy. The movie was directed by Rudy De Luca and starred Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, and Ed Begley, Jr.
4. Boynton Beach Club
Susan Seidelman wrote, directed, and produced this 2005 romantic comedy. It is based on the experiences of her mother Florence, who co-produced the movie, when she stayed at an adult enclave in Boynton Beach with her friend who was a widower. Along with Joseph Bologna, the movie stars Dyan Cannon, Len Cariou, Sally Kellerman, Michael Nouri, Renee Taylor, and Brenda Vaccaro. The film was originally called ‘The Boynton Beach Bereavement Club’ but this was changed to ‘Boynton Beach Club’ for its release.
5. Returning Mickey Stern
In this 2002 comedy movie, Joseph Bologna plays the lead role of Mickey Stern. Other people starring in the movie include Tom Bosley, Joshua Fishbein, Connie Stevens, Tom Bosley, and Renee Taylor. When Mickey stern is sent to play baseball out of high school by the New York Yankees, he meets and falls in love with Leah, an older woman. However, the Korean War disrupts both his professional and personal life. Following the war, he becomes a magician when his baseball career never takes off and he meets a woman who is just like his former love. The movie was directed by Michael Prywes.
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