Richard Romanus, the renowned character actor recognized for his tough-guy roles, particularly as Michael Longo, the Little Italy loan shark engaged in a conflict with Robert De Niro’s Johnny Civello in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets, has passed away at the age of 80.
Advertisement
On December 23, Romanus breathed his last in a private hospital in Volos, Greece, as confirmed by his son, Robert Romanus, to The Hollywood Reporter.
Romanus lent his distinctive voice to significant roles in Ralph Bakshi’s animated films, portraying the elf warrior Weehawk in 1977’s Wizards and leading a 1950s greaser gang in 1982’s Hey Good Lookin’. In addition, he voiced the character of cab driver Harry Canyon in the animated film Heavy Metal (1981).
Advertisement
His on-screen presence extended to television, where he appeared in four episodes of The Sopranos from 1999 to 2002 as Richard LaPenna, the on-again, off-again husband of Lorraine Bracco’s Jennifer Melfi.
In the iconic Mean Streets (1973), Romanus’ character faces disrespect from Johnny as he confronts him for money owed.
Johnny Civello mockingly addresses Michael, “You know, Michael, you make me laugh. You see, I borrow money all over this neighborhood, left and right from everybody, and I never pay them back. So, I can’t borrow no money from nobody no more, right? So who would that leave me to borrow money from but you? I borrow money from you because you’re the only jerk-off around here who I can borrow money from without paying back, right? You know, ’cause that’s what you are, that’s what I think of you, a jerk-off. You’re smiling ’cause you’re a jerk-off. You’re a fucking jerk-off! I’ll tell you something else, I fuck you right where you breathe because I don’t give two shits about you or nobody else.”
In the narrative, Michael eventually seeks revenge on the journey to Brooklyn.
Leave a Reply