Nicholas Colasanto was born
January 19,1924 in Providence, Rhode Island. He served in
the US Navy in the Second World War and was awarded medals
for his service. When he returned from war, Nicholas became
an accountant for an oil company.
Legend has it he was bitten by the acting bug at age 28 when
he saw legendary leading-man Henry Fonda perform on stage.
Nicholas took a chance and joined a theater company in Phoenix,
Arizona. From there, he went back to the East Coast, to New
York City and acted in off-Broadway productions. Eventually,
Nicholas earned a little money when he landed a commercial
for laundry soap. In 1965, he traveled to Hollywood, got into
directing and continued to act as well. 1960's and 70's directing
credits include episodes of Bonanza, Columbo,
S.W.A.T., ChiPs, Starsky and Hutch and
Logan's Run. His TV acting credits during the same
period included I Spy, My Favorite Martian,
Mission: Impossible, Mannix, Kojak, Baretta
and Lou Grant. In 1980 he played mob boss Tommy Como
in the much-lauded film Raging Bull.
Though accustomed to dramatic roles, in 1982 Nicholas was
cast in the comedic role of Ernie "Coach" Pantusso, the trusting,
absent-minded and lovable bartender on Cheers. He earned
an Emmy nomination for his work and stayed with the show until
he died of heart failure on February 15th, 1985.