Renowned actor Richard Romanus, known for his notable roles in the classic movie “Mean Streets” and the popular TV series “The Sopranos,” died on December 23, 2023. Romanus, 80, passed away in a private hospital in Volos, Greece. The details surrounding his death have not been made public.
Born on February 8, 1943, Romanus hailed from Barre, Vermont. He was raised in a Lebanese-American family in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Romanus obtained a philosophy degree in 1964 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He initially attended law school but later decided to study acting at New York’s renowned Carnegie Hall under the tutelage of the legendary Lee Strasberg.
Romanus left a lasting impression in Hollywood through his portrayal of hardened characters. His most memorable roles include the loan shark Michael in Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” (1973), and the voice of Harry Canyon in the animated film “Heavy Metal” (1981). He also lent his voice to characters in the animated films “Wizards” and “Hey Good Lookin’,” directed by Ralph Bakshi.
In the TV series “The Sopranos,” he played the character of Richard La Penna, the ex-husband of Dr. Jennifer Melfi, portrayed by Lorraine Bracco, in four episodes.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Romanus was featured in numerous television shows, such as “Mission: Impossible,” “The Mod Squad,” “Rhoda,” “Kojak,” “The Rockford Files,” the original “Hawaii Five-O,” “Starsky and Hutch,” and “MacGyver.”
His extensive filmography encompasses a variety of genres, with roles in films like “The Gravy Train,” “Protocol,” “The Couch Trip,” “Oscar,” and “Point of No Return.”
Romanus was married twice in his lifetime. His first wife was Tina Bohlmann, with whom he had a son, from 1967 to 1980. He then married Anthea Sylbert, an Oscar-nominated costume designer, in 1985.
Over 20 years ago, the couple relocated to Skiathos, Greece. It was there that Romanus honed his writing skills, authoring his memoir and two novels based in Greece. He and Sylbert also co-wrote and produced two Lifetime telefilms: “Giving Up the Ghost” (1998) and “If You Believe” (1999).
Romanus’ memoir, “Act III: A Small Island in the Aegean”, published in 2011, was nominated for the International Rubery Book Award the following year. He also wrote the novels “Chrysalis” (2011) and “Matoula’s Echo” (2014).
Richard Romanus is survived by his son, his wife Anthea Sylbert, and his younger brother Robert Romanus, who is recognized for his role in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”
