Chick Vennera

Francis Vincent Vennera[1] (March 27, 1947 – July 7, 2021) was an American actor, known for his role as Joe Mondragon in Robert Redford's The Milagro Beanfield War, among other movies. He also often served as a voice double for Joe Pesci.

Chick Vennera
Vennera at the 2013 DGA Awards
Born
Francis Vincent Vennera

(1947-03-27)March 27, 1947
Herkimer, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 7, 2021(2021-07-07) (aged 74)
Burbank, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1975–2011
Spouses
Joanne Mary Divito
​
​
(m. 1971; div. 1982)​
    Suzanne E. Messbauer
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1983)​
    Children2

    Acting

    Vennera served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, first in the Signal Corps and later in the Special Services division.[2][3][4][5] After which, he embarked on a career as an actor and dancer. He was also a musician, playing several instruments. Vennera's first acting role of note was in the Broadway production of Grease, having toured with the musical for a year. He continued working as a performer, and appeared in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday, where he performed a dance routine on top of several cars. His acting career continued throughout the 1980s, and 1990s, appearing in many films and television series. In 1979, Vennera appeared as Vietnam War veteran Mitch Costigian in three episodes of Vega$, alongside Vega$ star Robert Urich. In 1989, he appeared in three episodes of The Golden Girls, two of them as the character Enrique Mas.

    Vennera also ventured into doing voice acting in the 1980s, with roles on Hanna-Barbera programs. However, his most notable role was Pesto on Warner Bros. Animation/Amblin Entertainment's hit animated series Animaniacs. Prior to his death, Vennera also taught acting.

    Personal life

    Vennera died from cancer at his home in Burbank, California, on July 7, 2021, at the age of 74.[1]

    Selected filmography
    Film
    Year Title Role Notes
    1978 Thank God It's Friday[6][7] Marv Gomez
    1979 Yanks[6][7] Sergeant Danny Ruffelo
    1981 High Risk[6][8] Tony
    1988 The Milagro Beanfield War[6][7] Joe Mondragon
    1991 The Terror Within II[6][8] Kyle
    1991 McBain[6][7] Roberto Santos
    1997 Time Under Fire Spitz
    1999 Wakko's Wish[9][10] Pesto Voice
    Direct-to-video
    1999 Final Voyage Dennis
    2000 Intrepid[6][10] Ellerson
    2001 Air Rage Fishmam
    2005 Glass Trap[9] Paolo
    Television
    Year Title Role Notes
    1978–1980 Vega$[6] Mitch Costigian 3 episodes
    1985 The Jetsons[6] Additional voices
    1986–1987 Foofur Sam Voice
    16 episodes
    1986 Diff'rent Strokes[6][10] Spider
    1989 The Golden Girls[6][10] Pepe/Enrique 3 episodes
    1993 Bonkers Chick Voices
    2 episodes
    1993–1998 Animaniacs[6][10] Pesto, The Godpigeon, Sparrow, Joe P. Voices
    22 episodes
    1996–1997 The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Lorenzo, Thug #2, Gustavo Arollo, Walker, Additional Voices Voice
    9 episodes
    1998 JAG[6] Benny Turpin 2 episodes
    1998 Cow and Chicken Shark #1, Shark #2, Salesman #1 Episode: "Free Inside/Journey to the Center of Cow"; Voice
    2000 That's Life[6][10] Luciano
    2000 Batman Beyond[6] Chauffeur Episode: "Ace in the Hole"; Voice
    2002–2004 Static Shock[10] Ferrett Voice
    3 episodes
    Video games
    Year Title Role Notes
    1997 Zork: Grand Inquisitor Hades Beast, House Alarm Voices
    1998 Animaniacs: Ten Pin Alley Pesto Voices
    2009 Bayonetta Enzo[11] Voice

    References
    1. Evans, Greg (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera Dies: 'Thank God It's Friday', 'The Golden Girls' Actor Was 74". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
    2. "VENNERA, Chick 1952– (Francis Vennera, Chick Vennera) PERSONAL". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
    3. Barnes, Mike (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera, Actor in ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ and ‘The Milagro Beanfield War,’ Dies at 74". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
    4. Garvey, Marianne (July 9, 2021). "Chick Vennera, 'Thank God It's Friday' and 'The Golden Girls' actor, dead at 74". CNN. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
    5. Peters, Fletcher (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera, ‘The Golden Girls’ and ‘Milagro Beanfield War’ Actor, Dead at 74". Decider. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
    6. "Chick Vennera". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
    7. "Chick Vennera". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
    8. "Chick Vennera – Filmography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
    9. "Chick Vennera". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
    10. "Chick Vennera List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
    11. "Bayonetta Developer Commentary Part 56". platinumgames.com. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
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