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Nicholas Colasanto (January 19, 1924 - February 12, 1985) was an American actor, known primarily for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the long-running sitcom Cheers. Feature films include Fat City and Raging Bull.
<p>A decorated veteran of World War II, he also directed various television series, such as Columbo, Starsky and Hutch and CHiPs.
<p>He attended Bryant University, now located in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
<p>Colasanto died of a heart ailment on February 12, 1985 at the age of 61, just as Cheers was achieving its greatest success. He was never replaced on Cheers. Instead Cheers hired Woody Harrelson to play the low IQ-ed Woody Boyd. After his death, his presence on the show was represented by the placing of a picture of Geronimo on the wall of the show's primary set. The photo had previously hung in Colasanto's dressing room and was said to hold a special meaning to the actor. The picture remained on the set for the rest of the series' run.
<p>Coach died shortly after the filming of...
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