Lifelong Pennsylvania resident and celebrated actor Charles “Charley” Scalies has passed away at a Phoenixville nursing facility, writes Emlyn Travis for Entertainment Weekly.
Scalies peacefully passed away on May 1 at the age of 84 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Scalies grew up in South Philadelphia and would often perform impressions and jokes for customers at his father’s pool hall.
After a hiatus from professional acting, Scalies returned to performing by doing community theater in the early 1990s. He later gained national attention for his film and television work, which included roles in Two Bits and 12 Monkeys alongside Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis.
He is perhaps best known for his television roles as Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa on season 2 of The Wire, and Coach Molinaro in season 5 of The Sopranos.
In addition to his career as a successful performer, Scalies was an accomplished writer. He wrote a screenplay inspired by his father’s Philadelphia pool room titled It Takes Balls.
Scalies is survived by his wife of 62 years and their five children. Following his passing, the family has asked for donations to be made to the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Read more about Charley Scalies and the Philadelphia actor’s life and career in Entertainment Weekly.
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