Michael DeLano, ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ actor, dead at 84
American actor Michael DeLano, who starred in Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve, has died aged 84.
DeLano died on October 20th in a Las Vegas hospital after suffering a heart attack.
News of his death was confirmed by his wife, Jean DeLano, to The Hollywood Reporter.
DeLano first made his name in the 1970s when he portrayed a firefighter in the television series, Firehouse, before going on to play a singer in the hit show, Rhoda.
The actor and singer had been a resident of Las Vegas since 1992, performing regularly until recently at the Dispensary Lounge, which is set to hold an event in his memory on November 30th.
For many, DeLano is best known for appearing as a casino manager in the hit 2001 movie, Ocean’s Eleven, before reprising his role three years later in Ocean’s Twelve.
Other notable credits from his career include three episodes of The A Team and Hill Street Blues, as well as the 1972 movie, The New Centurions.
His early exploits in the entertainment industry dated back to when Dick Clark’s American Bandstand was based in Philadelphia, with DeLano serving as a dancer.
DeLano also secured a record deal with Swan Records in 1960, releasing a number of singles under the alias of Key Larson.
Family friend, Paul Small, lead the tributes, writing on Instagram, “One of the hardest parts of getting older is losing the ones that made an impression. Michael DeLano came into our lives in 1971 as a client of my dad’s.”
Small continued, “But he was more than that; actor, singer, carpenter, philosopher, family man, friend – on any given Saturday he’d be at the house building something (a tennis umpire’s chair, a floor to ceiling bookcase) or sharing a thought (or a joint).”
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.