Sal Mineo | |
|---|---|
 Mineo in London 1973 | |
| Born | Salvatore Mineo Jr. (1939-01-10)January 10, 1939 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | February 12, 1976(1976-02-12) (aged 37) West Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Murder (stab wound to the heart) |
| Resting place | Gate of Heaven Cemetery,Hawthorne, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | The Switchblade Kid[1] |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1951–1976 |
| Known for | |
| Partners |
|
| Website | salmineo |
| Signature | |
 | |
Salvatore Mineo Jr. (January 10, 1939 – February 12, 1976) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as John "Plato" Crawford in the drama filmRebel Without a Cause (1955), which earned him a nomination for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor at age 17, making him thefifth-youngest nominee in the category.
Mineo also starred in films such asCrime in the Streets,Giant (both 1956),Exodus (1960), for which he won aGolden Globe and received a second Academy Award nomination,The Longest Day (1962),John Ford's final westernCheyenne Autumn (1964) andEscape from the Planet of the Apes (1971).
Mineo was born inThe Bronx, New York City, the son of coffin makers Josephine (née Alvisi) and Salvatore Mineo Sr.[2][3] He was ofSicilian descent. His father was born in Italy. His mother, of Italian heritage, was born in the United States. Mineo's sister Sarina and brothers Michael and Victor were also actors. He attended the Quintano School for Young Professionals, a performing arts school in New York City.[4][5] Mineo was one of the few Italian-American actors of his era to keep his surname, saying he was proud of his heritage and identity.[6]
Mineo's mother enrolled him in dancing and acting school at an early age.[7] He had his first stage appearance inTennessee Williams's playThe Rose Tattoo (1951).[8] He also played the young prince oppositeYul Brynner in the stagemusicalThe King and I. Brynner took the opportunity to help Mineo better himself as an actor.[1]
On May 8, 1954, Mineo portrayed the Page (lip-synching to the voice ofmezzo-soprano Carol Jones) in theNBC Opera Theatre's production ofRichard Strauss'sSalome (in English translation), set toOscar Wilde'splay.[9][10]Elaine Malbin performed the title role, andPeter Herman Adler conductedKirk Browning's production.
As a teenager, Mineo appeared onABC's musical quiz programJukebox Jury. Mineo made several television appearances before making his screen debut in theJoseph Pevney filmSix Bridges to Cross (1955). He beat outClint Eastwood for the role.[11] Mineo successfully auditioned for a part inThe Private War of Major Benson (1955), as a cadet colonel oppositeCharlton Heston.[12]
Mineo's breakthrough as an actor came inRebel Without a Cause (1955), in which he played John "Plato" Crawford, a sensitive teenager smitten with main character Jim Stark (played byJames Dean).[8] Mineo's performance resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and he became the fifth-youngest nominee in the category, at the age of 17.[1] Mineo's biographer Paul Jeffers recounted that Mineo received thousands of letters from young female fans, was mobbed by them at public appearances, and further wrote: "He dated the most beautiful women inHollywood and New York City."[13]
InGiant (1956), Mineo played Angel Obregon II, a Mexican boy killed in World War II. Many of his subsequent roles were variations of his role inRebel Without a Cause, and he was typecast as a troubled teen.[14] In theDisney adventureTonka (1958), for instance, Mineo starred as a youngSioux named White Bull who traps and domesticates a clear-eyed, spirited wild horse named Tonka that becomes the famousComanche, the lone survivor ofCuster's Last Stand.By the late 1950s, Mineo was a major celebrity. He was sometimes referred to as the "Switchblade Kid", a nickname he earned from his role as a criminal in the movieCrime in the Streets (1956).[1]
In 1957, Mineo made a brief foray into pop music by recording a handful of songs and an album. Two of his singles reached the Top 40 in the United States'Billboard Hot 100.[15] The more popular of the two, "Start Movin' (In My Direction)", reached No. 9 onBillboard's pop chart. It sold over one million copies and was awarded agold disc.[16] He starred as drummerGene Krupa in the movieThe Gene Krupa Story (1959), directed by Don Weis withSusan Kohner,James Darren, andSusan Oliver. He appeared as the celebrity guest challenger on the June 30, 1957, episode ofWhat's My Line?[17]
Mineo made an effort to break histypecasting.[18] In addition to his roles as an Indian brave inTonka (1958),[18] and a Mexican boy inGiant (1956),[19] he played a Jewish Holocaust survivor inExodus (1960); for his work inExodus, he won aGolden Globe Award and received his second Academy Award nomination forBest Supporting Actor.[20][21][18]
By the early 1960s, Mineo was becoming too old to play the type of role that had made him famous, and rumors of his homosexuality led to his being considered inappropriate for leading roles. For example, he auditioned forDavid Lean's filmLawrence of Arabia (1962) but was not hired.[7] Mineo appeared inThe Longest Day (1962), in which he played a private killed by a German after the landing inSainte-Mère-Église. Mineo was baffled by his sudden loss of popularity, later saying: "One minute it seemed I had more movie offers than I could handle; the next, no one wanted me."[22]
Mineo was the model forHarold Stevenson's paintingThe New Adam (1963). Now in the Guggenheim Museum's permanent collection, the painting is considered "one of the great Americannudes".[23] Mineo also appeared on the Season 2 episode ofThe Patty Duke Show: "Patty Meets a Celebrity" (1964).[24][25][26][27]
Mineo's role as astalker inWho Killed Teddy Bear (1965), which co-starredJuliet Prowse, did not seem to help his career. Although his performance was praised by critics, he found himself typecast again—this time as a deranged criminal.[28][29] The high point of this period was his portrayal of Uriah inThe Greatest Story Ever Told (1965).[30] Mineo guest-starred in an episode of the TV seriesCombat! in 1966, playing the role of a GI wanted for murder.[31] He did two more appearances on the same show, including appearing in an installment withFernando Lamas.[32]
In 1969, Mineo returned to the stage to direct a Los Angeles production of the gay-themed playFortune and Men's Eyes (1967), featuring then-unknownDon Johnson as Smitty and Mineo as Rocky. The production received positive reviews, although its expandedprison rape scene was criticized as excessive andgratuitous.[33][non-primary source needed] Mineo's last role in a motion picture was a small part in the filmEscape from the Planet of the Apes (1971);[34] he played the chimpanzeeDr. Milo.
In December 1972, Mineo stage-directed theGian Carlo Menotti short operaThe Medium in Detroit.[35]Muriel Costa-Greenspon portrayed the title character, Madame Flora, and Mineo played themute, Toby. In 1975, Mineo appeared as Rachman Habib, the assistant to a murderous consular head (portrayed byHector Elizondo) of a Middle Eastern country, in theColumbo episode "A Case of Immunity," onNBC-TV. One of his last roles was a guest spot on the TV seriesS.W.A.T. (1975),[36] in which he portrayed a cult leader similar toCharles Manson.
By 1976, Mineo's career had begun to turn around.[37] While playing the role of abisexual burglar in a series of stage performances of the comedyP.S. Your Cat Is Dead in San Francisco, Mineo received substantial publicity from many positive reviews; he moved to Los Angeles along with the play.[38][39][40]
In a 1972 interview withBoze Hadleigh, Mineo confirmed hisbisexuality.[41]
Mineo met English-born actressJill Haworth on the set of the filmExodus in 1960, in which they portrayed young lovers. Mineo and Haworth were in anon-and-off relationship for many years. They were engaged to be married at one point. According to Mineo biographer Michael Gregg Michaud, Haworth cancelled the engagement after she caught Mineo engaging in sexual relations with a man.[42] The two remained very close friends until Mineo's death.[42][43]
Mineo expressed disapproval of Haworth's brief relationship with television producerAaron Spelling, because he was 22 years older than she. One night, when Mineo found Haworth and Spelling at a private Beverly Hills nightclub, he punched Spelling in the face, yelling, "Do you know how old she is? What are you doing with her at your age?"[42]
At the time of his death, he was in a six-year relationship with actor and retired acting coach Courtney Burr III (1948-).[42][44]
In 2010 Michael Gregg Michaud released a biography on Sal Mineo and it received critical acclaim for its depth of research and the contributions from Sal’s friends, family, acquaintances and co-stars. The book was dedicated to Jill Haworth and Courtney Burr III as they were both Mineo’s significant partners and remained close friends until Haworth’s death.[42]
On the night of February 12, 1976, Mineo returned home from a rehearsal for the playP.S. Your Cat Is Dead at 10:00 pm.[45] After parking his car in the carport below hisWest Hollywood apartment, he was stabbed in the heart by a mugger.[46][47] Mineo was found lying and bleeding profusely in the parking alley by his neighbor Raymond Evans, who had heard his cries for help, but Mineo was only able to walk a few steps, after which he collapsed immediately. Mineo was pronounced dead at the scene at the age of 37, due tomassive hemorrhage.[45]
A funeral for Mineo was held atMost Holy Trinity Church, Mamaroneck, on February 17, 1976, and was attended by 250 mourners.[48] Mineo was buried atGate of Heaven Cemetery inHawthorne, New York.[49]
In March 1979, Lionel Ray Williams (born 1956), who had a long criminal record, was convicted and sentenced to 51 years in prison for killing Mineo, and for committing ten robberies.[37] After several years of speculation about possible motives for the murder, the police investigation concluded that it was a random robbery.[50] Williams was released in 1990 and continues to deny his guilt. A 2024 documentary film titledUnseen Innocence seeks to raise awareness of Williams' case and further his exoneration efforts however was unsuccessful .[51]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Six Bridges to Cross | Jerry (boy) | |
| The Private War of Major Benson | Cadet Col. Sylvester Dusik | ||
| Rebel Without a Cause | John "Plato" Crawford | Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor | |
| 1956 | Crime in the Streets | Angelo "Baby" Gioia, a.k.a. Bambino | |
| Somebody Up There Likes Me | Romolo | ||
| Giant | Angel Obregón II | ||
| Rock, Pretty Baby | Angelo Barrato | ||
| 1957 | Dino | Dino Minetta | |
| The Young Don't Cry | Leslie "Les" Henderson | ||
| 1958 | Tonka | White Bull | |
| 1959 | A Private's Affair | Luigi Maresi | |
| The Gene Krupa Story | Gene Krupa | ||
| 1960 | Exodus | Dov Landau | Won—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1962 | Escape from Zahrain | Ahmed | |
| The Longest Day | Pvt. Martini | ||
| 1964 | Cheyenne Autumn | Red Shirt | |
| 1965 | The Greatest Story Ever Told | Uriah | |
| Who Killed Teddy Bear? | Lawrence Sherman | ||
| 1967 | Stranger on the Run | George Blaylock | |
| 1969 | Krakatoa, East of Java | Leoncavallo Borghese | |
| 80 Steps to Jonah | Jerry Taggart | ||
| 1971 | Escape from the Planet of the Apes | Dr. Milo |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | The Vision of Father Flanagan | Les | TV movie |
| A Woman for the Ages | Charles | TV movie | |
| 1953 | Omnibus | Paco | "The Capitol of the World" |
| 1954 | Janet Dean, Registered Nurse | Tommy Angelo | "The Magic Horn" |
| 1955 | Big Town | "Juvenile Gangs" | |
| Omnibus | "The Bad Men" | ||
| The Philco Television Playhouse | "The Trees" | ||
| Frontiers of Faith | "The Man on the 6:02" | ||
| 1956 | Look Up and Live | "Nothing to Do" | |
| The Alcoa Hour | Paco | "The Capitol of the World", "The Magic Horn" | |
| Westinghouse Studio One | "Dino" | ||
| Look Up and Live | "Nothing to Do" | ||
| Lux Video Theatre | "Tabloid" | ||
| Screen Directors Playhouse | "The Dream" | ||
| Climax! | Miguel | "Island in the City" | |
| 1957 | The Ed Sullivan Show | Himself | Episodes 10.42, 10.48 |
| Kraft Suspense Theatre | Tony Russo | "Barefoot Soldier", "Drummer Man" | |
| Kraft Music Hall | Himself | Episode 10.8 | |
| 1958 | The DuPont Show of the Month | Aladdin | "Cole Porter's Aladdin" |
| Pursuit | Jose Garcia | "The Garcia Story" | |
| 1959 | The Ann Sothern Show | Nicky Silvero | "The Sal Mineo Story" |
| 1962 | The DuPont Show of the Week | Coke | "A Sound of Hunting" |
| 1963 | The Greatest Show on Earth | Billy Archer | "The Loser" |
| 1964 | Kraft Suspense Theatre | Ernie | "The World I Want" |
| Dr. Kildare | Carlos Mendoza | "Tomorrow is a Fickle Girl" | |
| Combat! | Private Kogan | "The Hard Way Back" | |
| 1965 | The Patty Duke Show | Himself | "Patty Meets a Celebrity" |
| Burke's Law | Lew Dixon | "Who Killed the Rabbit's Husband?" | |
| 1966 | Combat! | Vinnick | "Nothing to Lose" |
| Combat! | Marcel Paulon | "The Brothers" | |
| Mona McCluskey | "The General Swings at Dawn" | ||
| Run for Your Life | Tonio | "Sequestro!: Parts 1 and 2" | |
| Court Martial | Lt. Tony Bianchi | "The House Where He Lived" | |
| The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones | Bobby Jack Wilkes | TV movie | |
| 1967 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Doctoroff | "A Song Called Revenge" |
| Stranger on the Run | George Blaylock | TV movie | |
| 1968 | Hawaii Five-O | Bobby George | "Tiger By The Tail" |
| 1969 | The Name of the Game | Sheldon | "A Hard Case Of The Blues" |
| 1970 | Mission Impossible | Mel Bracken | Flip Side |
| The Challengers | Angel de Angelo | TV movie | |
| The Name of the Game | Wade Hillary | "So Long, Baby, and Amen" | |
| 1971 | My Three Sons | Jim Bell | "The Liberty Bell" |
| The Immortal | Tsinnajinni | "Sanctuary" | |
| Dan August | Mort Downes | "The Worst Crime" | |
| In Search of America | Nick | TV movie | |
| How to Steal an Airplane | Luis Ortega | TV movie | |
| 1972 | The Family Rico | Nick Rico | TV movie |
| 1973 | Griff | President Gamal Zaki | "Marked for Murder" |
| Harry O | Walter Scheerer | "Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On" | |
| 1974 | Tenafly | Jerry Farmer | "Man Running" |
| Police Story | Stippy | "The Hunters" | |
| 1975 | Columbo | Rachman Habib | "A Case of Immunity" |
| Hawaii Five-O | Eddie | "Hit Gun for Sale" | |
| Harry O | Broker | "Elegy for a Cop" | |
| S.W.A.T. | Roy | "Deadly Tide: Parts 1 and 2" | |
| S.W.A.T. | Joey Hopper | "A Coven of Killers" | |
| Police Story | Fobbes | "Test of Brotherhood" | |
| 1976 | Ellery Queen | James Danello | "The Adventure of the Wary Witness" |
| Joe Forrester | Parma | "The Answer", (final appearance) |
| Institution | Category | Year | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | 1956 | Rebel Without a Cause | Nominated |
| 1961 | Exodus | Nominated | ||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actor | 1961 | Won | |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Best Single Performance by an Actor | 1957 | Studio One | Nominated |
| Laurel Awards | Top Male Supporting Performance | 1961 | Exodus | Won |
The autopsy revealed that Sal died of a single stab wound to the heart.
