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

By Rodolfo Vieira

Dec 28, 2018

12:29 P.M.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.