Legendary comedian Art Metrano has tragically passed away at the age of 84 at his home in Aventura, Florida.
The actor, who starred in the Police Academy films as comical cop boss Ernie Mauser, died on Wednesday as a result of natural causes, his son Harry told The Hollywood Reporter.
The star also played Rico Mastorelli in the ABC sitcom Joanie Loves Chachi, a spin-off of Happy Days (1982-83).
Metrano had previously suffered a brutal accident in which he fell off a ladder whilst working on the roof of his Los Angeles home – back in September 1989.
During the fall, he landed on his head and fractured his first, second and seventh vertebrae.
He was left quadriplegic, but he made an impressive recovery and even managed to perform his own one man stage show about his experience called Metrano’s Accidental Comedy, where he was able to stand up from his wheelchair and walk a few steps.
(Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
When he was hospitalised for two months after the fall, Art couldn’t move his hands and his wife brought him a voice-activated recorder which meant a great deal to him at the time.
In a 2001 interview, he said: “In 1990, I had all the little cassettes transcribed. It actually made me cry. It was really cathartic for me.”
Actor and director Joe Bologna then helped Art turn the tapes into his one-man show.
Speaking about his dad’s injury, his son said: “He was at the peak of his career when that happened, and then it just stopped, but he managed to enjoy life and overcome adversity.”
(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
Metrano, who was also a magician, shot to fame in 1970 when he performed as The Amazing Metrano on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Host Johnny Carson loved his act and even fell off his chair at one point as he was in fits of laughter – even gesturing at Metrano to join him on the sofa next to him.
Metrano’s career skyrocketed from that point with Carson’s help.
In 2015, Metrano told Kliph Nesteroff: “He really loved it and became a big fan of mine. He propelled me and many others into having employment — not even a career — just employment. All of a sudden I was doing all these shows. It was just amazing.”
(Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
The comic went on to work in nightclubs around the country, and appeared on The Dean Martin Show, The Tim Conway Comedy Hour and Playboy After Dark.
Metrano was raised in the Bensonhurst district of Brooklyn, New York, and he attended Lafayette High School – playing football for the College of the Pacific in Stockton, California.
The actor also starred in the CBS comedy, Chicago Teddy Bears (1971), and he guest-starred in shows like Starsky and Hutch, Bewitched, Mod Squad and All in the Family.
Metrano is survived by his wife, Jamie, his son, and several grandchildren.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
