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Joe Regalbuto | |
|---|---|
 Regalbuto at the 1989Primetime Emmy Awards | |
| Born | (1949-08-24)August 24, 1949 (age 75) |
| Education | New York University(MFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor,director |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Joe Regalbuto (born August 24, 1949) is anAmerican actor and director. He is known for his role as Frank Fontana on theCBS television sitcomMurphy Brown, which earned him aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination in 1989.
Regalbuto, who is ofItalian heritage,[1] was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated fromNew Milford High School inNew Milford, New Jersey, in 1967.[2]
After some bits and guest appearances, he had his first major role as attorney Elliot Streeter in the acclaimed but short-lived legal sitcomThe Associates, which aired from 1979-80.
In 1982, Joe Regalbuto played a supporting role in the critically acclaimed filmMissing, as well as the role of Darius in the cult sci-fi/fantasy movieThe Sword and the Sorcerer, and, on television, the recurring role of Kalnik the evil alien in three episodes ofMork & Mindy.
In 1983, he appeared in the comedy seriesAce Crawford, Private Eye alongsideTim Conway. He starred as Ace Crawford's accountant Toomey.
He starred in the CBS seriesKnots Landing in the 1984–1985 and 1985–1986 seasons as Harry Fisher, a man who takes possession of the Ewing twins illegally, which centered on the Black Market storyline.
In 1984, he appeared in the TV movieInvitation to Hell, directed byWes Craven.
In 1985, Regalbuto increased his household recognition when he guest starred as cab driver and high school friend, Don Eddie Rice, in the television seriesMagnum, P.I. episode "Going Home". A year earlier, he co-starred withMagnum, P.I. starTom Selleck in Selleck's 2nd film,Lassiter.
In 1986, Regalbuto starred in the TV movieFuzz Bucket and a short-lived series,Street Hawk, and co-starred in the short-lived 1979 sitcomThe Associates withMartin Short.
In 1988, he played the part of Rebecca Devereaux's verbally abusive boyfriend, Jeremy, in the TV seriesThe Golden Girls.
Joe starred inMurphy Brown for the entire first run of the acclaimed series from November 14, 1988, to May 18, 1998.
He appeared on a uncredited role in the 1992 movieThe Babe.
Late in the series, Regalbuto directed more than 20 episodes ofMurphy Brown.[3] He also has directed episodes of “ Friends “,Titus,George Lopez,Wizards of Waverly Place and other television programs.[3] Regalbuto also was an early spokesman forDirecTV when it first came out.
In 2002, he appeared on the final season (5th) of theAlly McBeal TV series, episode 10, "One Hundred Tears", as Harvey Hall, a man who believed he could fly, using wings of his own making.
In 2008, he had a small role in the movieBottle Shock.In 2008, he also had guest roles in the TV seriesGhost Whisperer andCriminal Minds. In 2009, Regalbuto had a guest appearance onNCIS.
In 2012, he played the critically acclaimed part of Mr Rogers in the TV SeriesSouthland: "his character feigned grief in what Det. Lydia Adams (Regina King) called 'an Academy Award-winning performance.' He's not eligible for an Oscar, but Regalbuto might just get an Emmy".[4]
He has also directed episodes ofHot in Cleveland - Season 3, Episode 5 in 2011 and Season 4, Episodes 6 and 7 in 2013.[5]
In 2015, he had a guest role as Stuart "Stu" Sloan in episode 4, "Turn Down", of season 4 in the TV seriesMajor Crimes.
Regalbuto returned to a revival series ofMurphy Brown in 2018 along with former co-starsCandice Bergen,Faith Ford andGrant Shaud.[6]
Regalbuto is married to RoseMary Regalbuto, a former president ofMeals On Wheels West inSanta Monica, California,[7][8] andSanta Monica Travel and Tourism, Inc. board member from 2014 to 2022,[9] and board member for eight years on the Commission on Older Americans (Commission for the Senior Community).[10] They have three children.
RoseMary Regalbuto, MOW West Past President is puzzled! Her husband Joe is not amused!
