Richard Romanus was an actor best known for his prominent role in Martin Scorsese’s critical breakthrough, “Mean Streets,” and for playing Dr. Jennifer Melfi’s husband in “The Sopranos.”
- Died: December 23, 2023 (Who else died on December 23?)
- Details of death: Died in Volos, Greece, at the age of 80.
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Richard Romanus’s legacy
The Vermont-born Romanus made his screen debut in the 1968 horror film “Blood Rites,” also known as “The Ghastly Ones,” but it was his second film that left a mark. Cast by a then-unknown Martin Scorsese, he played a prominent role in the director’s critical breakthrough, 1973’s “Mean Streets,” which also featured Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel before they were stars.
In the years ahead, Romanus did voice work in films like “Heavy Metal” and “Wizards” and also appeared on such shows as “Kojak,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “MacGyver,” “Hill Street Blues,” and many others. His most notable later role was when he played Richard La Penna, Dr. Jennifer Melfi’s husband on “The Sopranos.”
In 2004, Romanus retired to Greece to focus on writing. There, he penned his memoirs, “Act III,” which was short-listed for the International Rubery Book Award, and wrote the 2011 novel “Chrysalis.” He had previously written two TV movies, “If You Believe” and “Giving Up the Ghost,” and in 1999 won a Best Original Screenplay in Long Form Television from the Writers Guild of America for his efforts.
Tributes to Richard Romanus
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
