Yet another classy actor gone way before his time. Via Strange Women Lying in Ponds, a sad farewell to Vincent Schiavelli.
Lung cancer. Figures. But in addition to the many film roles I've enjoyed him in, back in April, 1997, Schiavelli (a renowned cookbook author) contributed a wonderful and inspiring article to Saveur Magazine, full of delicious recipes from his native Sicily. My favorite was a carbohydrate extravaganza called Tumala d'Andrea -- a kind of casserole consisting of a shell of bread crumb-coated cheesy arborio rice surrounding a filling of pasta, tomato sauce, meat (optional), more cheese and peas. A lot of work, but too good. (You can also find the recipe here, in Schiavelli's memoir "Bruculinu, America : Remembrances of Sicilian-American Brooklyn, Told in Stories and Recipes.")
Arrivederci, Vincent.
