**Danny Aiello (1933-2019)** was an American character actor, renowned for his robust screen presence and his ability to portray complex and multifaceted Italian-American characters.

With a career that began relatively late, Aiello became known for often playing "tough guy" roles – such as policemen, family patriarchs, or mobsters – but always with surprising emotional depth and a touch of vulnerability.

His most celebrated performance was as Sal Frangione, a pizzeria owner, in Spike Lee's film **_Do the Right Thing_** (1989), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Among his other significant roles were Johnny Cammareri in **_Moonstruck_** (1987), Monk in **_The Purple Rose of Cairo_** (1985), and Tony in **_Léon_** (1994). His style was characterized by a raspy voice and authentic charisma, which made him an iconic face in cinema.