Legendary Hollywood actor Frank Pesce has died aged 75.
The star, who appeared in Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop, died from dementia complications, his girlfriend Tammy Scher has told Deadline.
The late actor passed away on February 6 in Burbank, California.
Frank appeared in a number of huge films and TV series throughout his colourful and impressive career.
The late actor appeared in features such as Midnight Run, Miami Vice, Matlock and Kojak, to name a few of his successful roles.
Born on December 8, 1946, in New York City, the late star become known for his impressive character acting and larger-than-life personality.
"They make movies about guys like me," was a quote uttered by the late star over the years and, according to Deadline, is something that will be written on his epitaph.
Frank started out in the business in the mid-1970s, with guest-roles on hit TV show such as Kojak and Police Story.
After bagging some bit roles in close pal Sylvester Stallone's films Paradise Alley and Rocky, the late actor went on to enjoy a successful career in both film and TV.
Even as recently as the 2010s, Frank was still a regular feature on screen, after becoming known for his supporting roles on hit shows such as Miami Vice. Cagney & Lacey, The Greatest American Hero, Matlock, Who’s the Boss? and Knight Rider.
His best-known role to is undoubtedly his cameo in Beverly Hills Cop, where he played a cigarette buyer in the opening scene in the 1984 hit movie.
Frank went on to make another guest appearance in the subsequent sequel to Eddie Murphy's smash-hit franchise, as way as portraying a bartender in one of Tom Cruise's biggest hits, Top Gun.
Speaking about him prior to his death, David Permut, the Oscar-nominated producer, shared an anecdote about the late actor and 29th Street, the 1991 film based on the Frank's early life story.
"One of the most memorable experiences I had was producing 29th Street, a film based on Frank’s early life in NYC when he wound up with a winning lottery ticket," David recalled to Deadline.
"I had sold Frank’s real-life story to United Artists and hired George Gallo to write the script, only to find out afterward that Frank also had sold his exclusive life rights to Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer at Paramount at the same time!"
The producer continued to admit that he "exploded at Frank" at the time.
"I called Don Simpson, who fortunately I had a good relationship with, and he actually laughed, and let it go," he concluded with.
"Thank God, because to this day, I never shared the story with John Goldwyn, who made the development deal with us at UA while he was head of production."
Over the years, Frank forged close friendships with stars like Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza, the late Robert Forster.
The late star survived by his brother, Vito Pesce; nieces Vanessa Pesce and Danielle Pesce; and sister-in-law Catherine Pesce, alongside his friend and partner Tammy.
Frank will be buried on February 18 at Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City.
