- Born
- Died
- Birth nameHorace Paul Picerni
- Height1.75 m
- As a child Paul Picerni had aspirations to become an attorney until he acted in an eighth-grade play and later learned that the school principal liked his performance and called him "a born actor". He next appeared in little theater productions, then (after World War II Air Force service) on the stage at Loyola University. Picerni was acting in a play in Hollywood when he was spotted by Solly V. Bianco, head of talent at Warner Brothers; brought to the studio, the young actor was given a role in Breakthrough (1950). This WWII actioner turned out to be aptly named, as it led to a Warners contract for Picerni and a long succession of roles at that studio. Best-known for his second-banana role on the TV classic The Untouchables (1959) with Robert Stack, Picerni is the father of eight and grandfather of ten.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tom Weaver <TomWeavr@aol.com>
- SpouseMarie Mason(August 9, 1947 - January 12, 2011) (his death, 8 children)
- Children
- RelativesPaula Picerni(Sibling)Charlie Picerni(Sibling)
- During his enlistment as a bombardier in the Army during WWII, he flew 25 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the bombardier on the plane that bombed and destroyed the real bridge made famous in the film Cầu Sông Kwai (1957).
- Was hired by the Los Angeles Rams to be their half-time master of ceremonies and performed the job for over 30 years until the team moved to Anaheim. Was also hired to emcee banquets and benefits throughout his career.
- Was mayor of Tarzana, California (1965-68).
- Picerni and wife Marie Mason, had eight children and ten grandchildren. He brought his brother, Charlie Picerni, out to Hollywood in 1961 to become his stand-in and (eventually) stunt double on The Untouchables (1959). Charles later directed TV and served as stuntman/coordinator for the popular "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon" film franchises. Some of his children and extended relatives (such as Paul V. Picerni Jr., Gina Picerni, Marilyn Picerni, Paula Picerni, and Rick Picerni) are also involved in the film industry.
- Interviewed about his co-starring role in the movie Ngôi Nhà Sáp (1953) in the book "I Was a Monster Movie Maker" by Tom Weaver (McFarland & Co., 2001).
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