American actor (1952–2021)
Eddie Mekka
Mekka in 2005
Born Edward Rudolph Mekjian
[ 1] (1952-06-14 ) June 14, 1952Died November 27, 2021(2021-11-27) (aged 69) Occupation Actor Years active 1974–2018 Spouses
DeLee Lively
(
m. 1983;
div. 1992)
Yvonne Marie Grace
(
m. 1994)
Children 1
Edward Rudolph Mekjian (June 14, 1952 – November 27, 2021), known professionally as Eddie Mekka , was an American actor, best known for his role as Carmine Ragusa on the hit television sitcom Laverne & Shirley
Early life
Mekka was born in Worcester, Massachusetts , the son of Mariam (née Apkarian), a dry cleaning presser, and Vahe Vaughn Mekjian, a factory worker.[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] Armenian and Italian descent. His father was a World War II veteran.[ 4] Burncoat High School and attended the Berklee College of Music .[ 5]
Career
Cast photo of Laverne & Shirley Carole Ita White , Phil Foster , Mekka, Betty Garrett . Middle row, standing: Penny Marshall , Cindy Williams . Seated: Michael McKean , David Lander . In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts , teaching young people how to sing.[ 5] Broadway in The Lieutenant Tony Award ,[ 6] Los Angeles .[ 7] Laverne & Shirley [ 6]
Mekka starred in roughly 50 TV shows and movies throughout his career. His television credits included 24 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia The Bold and the Beautiful Catch Me If You Can .[ 8] Penny Marshall -directed 1992 film, A League of Their Own Madonna ) in the bar.[ 7] [ 9]
Onstage, he performed in Hairspray the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada ,[ 10] Grease Cindy Williams .[ 11] [ 12] My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy! at the Westside Theatre .[ 8]
Mekka had regular solo singing performances for many years from the 1990s into the 2000s throughout the Naples[ 13]
Mekka reunited with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor -Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You .[ 14] [ 15]
In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film Code Enforcer . He starred opposite Erin Moran of Happy Days [ 16]
In 2010, Mekka starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof Northport, New York , from April 29 until June 20.[ 17] [ 18]
Personal life
Mekka was married to actress DeLee Lively from 1983 to 1992. He married Yvonne Marie Grace in 1994. Together they had one daughter, Mia.[ 19]
Mekka died in Newhall, Santa Clarita, California , on November 27, 2021, at the age of 69.[ 20] [ 21] [ 22]
Filmography
Film
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1982
Assignment Berlin
Soghomon Tehlirian
1988
Bum Rap
Sammy
1989
Beaches Actor 3
1992
A League of Their Own Mae's Guy in Bar
1997
Top of the World Joe Burns
2003
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star Himself
Cameo
2004
Land of the Free?
Jerry
2006
The Last Stand
Art
2006
Dreamgirls Club Manager
2006
Love Made Easy
Mobo
2007
Stuck in the Past
Grandpa
2008
Dirty Jokes the Movie
Direct-to-video
2009
C Me Dance Lowell
2013
Through a Mother's Eyes
Dr. Henry Myer
2014
Heaven Help Us
Chuck
Short film
2017
Diary of a Lunatic
Mr. Karnofsky
2017
Silver Twins
Rabbi
2017
Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel
Himself
2018
Hail Mary!
Danny Morelli
Final role
Television
References
^ a b Gates, Anita (5 December 2021). "Eddie Mekka, a Star of 'Laverne & Shirley,' is Dead at 69" . The New York Times . ^ Smith, Kat (February 22, 2013). "Eddie Mekka: One-Man Show" . Naples Illustrated . Retrieved December 18, 2018 . ^ O'Donnell, Monica M. (September 1985). Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television ISBN 9780810302419 ^ Kappes, Serena (February 4, 2003). "Former 'Laverne & Shirley' star Eddie Mekka still singing, dancing" . CNN . Retrieved December 18, 2018 . ^ a b Duckett, Richard (February 16, 2011). "Young love led Eddie Mekka to Worcester County Light Opera stage" . Telegram & Gazette . Retrieved December 18, 2018 . ^ a b Lawler, Sylvia (May 22, 1993). "MEKKA HAUNTED BY HIS 'LAVERNE & SHIRLEY' CHARACTER" . The Morning Call . Retrieved December 19, 2018 . ^ a b Dillon, Nancy (December 19, 2018). "Penny Marshall was a generous mentor to 'Laverne & Shirley' co-star who played Carmine 'The Big Ragu' Ragusa" . New York Daily News . Retrieved December 19, 2018 . ^ a b Fitzgerald, TJ (July 8, 2008). "Mekka The Big Ragu Gets Therapy in The Big Apple" . BroadwayWorld . Retrieved July 8, 2008 . ^ Wong, Wilson (2 December 2021). "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley' actor, dies at 69" . NBC News. Retrieved 3 December 2021 . ^ Jones, Kenneth (March 28, 2006). "Paul Vogt and Eddie Mekka Are New Stars of Las Vegas Hairspray on May 1" . Playbill . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ Ehren, Christine (June 16, 2000). "Laverne & Shirley"'s Williams & Mekka Star in Westbury Grease June 16–18" . Playbill . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ Potempa, Philip (December 3, 2010). " . The Times of Northwest Indiana . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ "Save the Date" . Naples Florida Weekly . 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2022-11-19 .^ Gans, Andrew (October 31, 2008). " . Playbill . Retrieved October 31, 2008 . ^ Byrne, Terry (May 27, 2014). "Song-and-dance man Eddie Mekka back on familiar turf" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ O'Connell, Joe (October 13, 2008). "Shortcake and the Big Ragu Invade Lakeway!" . The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ Hetrick, Adam (May 6, 2010). "Eddie Mekka Leads Fiddler on the Roof at Engeman Theater" . Playbill . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ Jacobson, Aileen (May 7, 2010). "God and Family, and the Changes to Come" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ Wardr, Tommy (January 22, 2012). "R-JENERATION: Performing a family affair for actor Eddie Mekka" . Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved December 20, 2018 . ^ "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley's' Carmine Ragusa, Dies at 69" . Extra. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021 .^ "Eddie Mekka, 'Laverne & Shirley' Star and Tony Award Nominee, Dies at 69" . The Hollywood Reporter ^ Laverne & Shirley actor Eddie Mekka dead at 69 of unknown causes
External links
