Danny Aiello, Star of Spike Lee's Masterpiece ‘Do the Right Thing,’ Dies at 86

Danny Aiello received a best supporting Oscar nomination for his role as Sal in Do the Right Thing.

Legendary actor Danny Aiello, who is best known for playing pizzeria owner Sal in Spike Lee’s masterpiece Do the Right Thing, died on Thursday (December 12th) according to a statement released by his family. He was 86.

In a statement given to TMZ, a rep said

It is with profound sorrow to report that Danny Aiello, beloved husband, father, grandfather, actor and musician passed away last night after a brief illness. The family asks for privacy at this time. Service arrangements will be announced at a later date.

According to TMZ, Danny passed away at a medical facility in New Jersey. He was being treated for a sudden infection he caught. Aiello's family was at his side prior to his death.

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Aiello was born in New York City and did various odd jobs before becoming an actor at 40. His first movie was the Robert De Niro-led Bang the Drum Slowly. He then went on to have a small part in The Godfather Part II. In the '80s he would have parts in classic movies like Once Upon a Time in America and Moonstruck. However, he would transcend with his starring role in Spike Lee's second movie, Do the Right Thing.

In the movie he played Sal, a pizzeria owner caught in the middle of racial tensions in the predominantly black Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn neighborhood. For his role, Aiello would get a best supporting actor Oscar nomination, losing out to Denzel Washington for Glory.

Spike Lee has been sharing stories about Aiello and Do the Right thing on his Instagram.

Cher, who started in Moonstruck alongside Aiello, also tweeted out kind words.

Source: TMZ