Al Molinaro
Encyclopedia
Albert Francis "Al" Molinaro (born June 24, 1919) is an actor in television and films, most notably as Al Delvecchio
, the owner of Arnold's on Happy Days
and its spin-off
show Joanie Loves Chachi
, Murray the Cop on The Odd Couple
television series, as well as starring in commercials for On-Cor
frozen dinners. He also starred in a 1982 situation comedy
called The Ugily Family, about an unsightly Italian family whose last name is constantly mispronounced as "ugly".
Molinaro was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin
and was one of ten children.
In 1987, Molinaro and fellow Happy Days
cast member Anson Williams
opened a chain of diners
called Big Al's. In 1992, the 73-year-old retired from acting.
Molinaro appeared in Weezer
's music video for the 1994 song "Buddy Holly
", which was set in Arnold's diner. He introduced the band as "Kenosha, Wisconsin's own Weezer".
In 2004, Molinaro announced plans to write a book about his childhood in Kenosha and his acting experiences. His character Murray was recast in a 1993 NBC "Odd Couple" movie. He did not appear in the 2005 Happy Days Reunion which aired on ABC.
Molinaro was a popular guest on the Don and Mike Show, a nationally syndicated radio show in Washington D.C. which aired from 1985 until April 2008.
Molinaro is married to his second wife, Sidney, and has one son, Michael, an attorney in Los Angeles
. He currently lives in Glendale, California
.
Al Delvecchio
Al Delvecchio is a character on the U.S. sitcom Happy Days. He was played by Al Molinaro. Molinaro joined the cast in Season 4 after Pat Morita, who played Arnold, left after the end of the Third Season . Subsequently Molinaro also played Al's twin brother priest Father Delvecchio...
, the owner of Arnold's on Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
and its spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
show Joanie Loves Chachi
Joanie Loves Chachi
Joanie Loves Chachi is an American television spin-off of the popular American sitcom Happy Days that was originally broadcast on ABC from March 23, 1982 to September 13, 1983...
, Murray the Cop on The Odd Couple
The Odd Couple (TV series)
The Odd Couple is a television situation comedy broadcast from September 24, 1970 to July 4, 1975 on ABC. It starred Tony Randall as Felix Unger and Jack Klugman as Oscar Madison. It was based upon the play of the same name, which was written by Neil Simon.Felix and Oscar are two divorced men....
television series, as well as starring in commercials for On-Cor
On-Cor
On-Cor is a brand of frozen food which used to be sold in two pound packages. On-Cor has reduced the size of their packages from 2 pounds to "28 ounces". These also include Redi-Serve patties. Previously, On-Cor advertised that their products were "2 pounds".- Products :On-Cor produces three lines...
frozen dinners. He also starred in a 1982 situation comedy
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
called The Ugily Family, about an unsightly Italian family whose last name is constantly mispronounced as "ugly".
Molinaro was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
and was one of ten children.
In 1987, Molinaro and fellow Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
cast member Anson Williams
Anson Williams
Anson Williams is an actor and director, best known for his role as gullible but well intentioned singer Warren "Potsie" Weber on the television series Happy Days.-Biography:...
opened a chain of diners
Diners
Diners can mean:* Diners Club International, a credit card company* plural of "diner", see Diner * Diners are type of North American restaurant...
called Big Al's. In 1992, the 73-year-old retired from acting.
Molinaro appeared in Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
's music video for the 1994 song "Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly (song)
"Buddy Holly" is a song by the rock group Weezer, written by Rivers Cuomo. It was released as the second single from the band's debut album Weezer in 1994. The single was released on what would have been Buddy Holly's 58th birthday. The lyrics reference the song's 1950s namesake and actress Mary...
", which was set in Arnold's diner. He introduced the band as "Kenosha, Wisconsin's own Weezer".
In 2004, Molinaro announced plans to write a book about his childhood in Kenosha and his acting experiences. His character Murray was recast in a 1993 NBC "Odd Couple" movie. He did not appear in the 2005 Happy Days Reunion which aired on ABC.
Molinaro was a popular guest on the Don and Mike Show, a nationally syndicated radio show in Washington D.C. which aired from 1985 until April 2008.
Molinaro is married to his second wife, Sidney, and has one son, Michael, an attorney in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He currently lives in Glendale, California
Glendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
.