Frank Adonis, 'Goodfellas' actor, dies at 83 after serious illness

December 28, 2018 | by Rodolfo Vieira

Frank Adonis, the famous actor from the classic mafia flick "Goodfellas," recently passed away at the age of 83.

Born Frank Testaverde Scioscia, on October 27, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, the late star made his big screen debut in 1971 in "The French Connection."

The news of his passing was shared by TMZ, and, although the cause of death is yet to be revealed, it is believed that he suffered from kidney problems.

Frank Adonis, actor from 'Goodfellas,' dies at 83 https://t.co/HZxHXJ7LS8 pic.twitter.com/BsLCgHTTfL
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 27, 2018

"The actor 'suffered tremendously' in the last few months of his life."

Adonis died on Wednesday night, December 26, 2018; he had been on dialysis for almost ten days and used a ventilator to breathe.

Doctors could have taken the actor off life support before but decided to wait until after Christmas so his family could spend one last holiday with him.

BREAKING: 'Goodfellas' actor Frank Adonis died Wednesday night in Las Vegas at the age of 83. https://t.co/eEELrjH17m
— WTHR.com (@WTHRcom) December 27, 2018

A GREAT MAN AND PROFESSIONAL

According to his wife, Denise, he 'was a great father and an amazing husband.' Most of all, he was a man who would go out of his way to help anyone in need.

Not only that, but the 62-year-old widow also described her late husband as a 'greater writer, director and actor,' as well as her best friend.

‘Goodfellas’ star Frank Adonis dead at 83 https://t.co/of9qsVrLEG pic.twitter.com/SdZzmdHxOC
— Page Six (@PageSix) December 27, 2018

A LIFETIME OF AMAZING ROLES

Phill Castellano, one of Adonis' friends, took to Facebook to let the world know that the actor 'suffered tremendously' in the last few months of his life and that he will be forever missed.

Aside from "Goodfellas," Adonis also starred in other movies directed by Martin Scorsese, such as "Casino" and "Raging Bull," where he worked alongside Robert DeNiro.

ANOTHER STAR IN THE SKY

But Adonis wasn't the only star who recently passed away; Sondra Locke, an experienced actress and director, drew her last breath on November 3, 2018.

RIP Sondra Locke. The film she directed IMPULSE is an underrated neo-noir pic.twitter.com/LtcgxzCIw2
— 🏳️‍🌈 Ms. Marya E. Gates🦩 (@oldfilmsflicker) December 13, 2018

Locke, who dated Clint Eastwood for 13 years, died from breast and bone cancer and was reportedly laid to rest at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary.