Rick Aiello has passed away after losing his year and a half long battle against pancreatic cancer, according to The Wrap. Aiello’s mother, Sandy, confirming the news, saying he was surrounded by his friends and family on Monday night at a hospital in Warwick, New York. He was 65 years of age: best know for his role in 1985s Do the Right Thing.
The Aiellos
His father and Oscar-nominated actor, Danny Aiello, is best known for his roles in numerous projects such as Do the Right Thing, The Godfather Part II and Leon: The Professional.
The father and son duo were both in Do the Right Thing together. In total Rick had more than 60 credits attributed to his name before his passing, which include notables such as Twin Peaks, The Sopranos, 21 Jump Street, Jungle Fever, and Sex in the City just to name a few. Spike Lee went as far as to mention him in an Instagram post.
In all three of Aiello’s appearances in Spike Lee joints (Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, and Clockers) he played a police officer.
Rest In Peace Rick Aiello, Son Of Danny Aiello. Both In DO THE RIGHT THING. September 21st, 1955 – July 27th, 2021.”
Aiello got his start in 1984s Silent Madness as he played Michael and worked up until his final credit as Dr. Drummond in Nobody’s Perfect which was released back in 2014.
Rick’s brother, former stunt coordinator Danny Aiello III, had also died of pancreatic cancer. Although Danny died at the age of 53 back in 2010 and their father, the aforementioned Danny Aeillo, died back in December of 2019 at the age of 86.
The Do The Right Thing actor leaves behind his wife of more than 30 years, Arlene Anne Urichich, along with their two children Tori and Ricky Jr., along with Rick’s mother Sandy and his siblings Stacey and Jamie.
