Hollywood Mourns the Loss of Michael DeLano
The entertainment world is in mourning following the death of actor and singer Michael DeLano at the age of 84. His wife of 28 years, Jean DeLano, confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that he passed away from a heart attack on October 20 in a Las Vegas hospital.
A Varied Career On Screen and Stage
DeLano enjoyed a prolific career spanning several decades. He was perhaps best known to modern audiences for his role as a casino manager in the blockbuster Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and its sequel, Ocean’s Twelve (2004). His television work was equally impressive, with appearances on some of the most popular shows of the era.
Fans will remember him from iconic series such as Charlie's Angels, The Jeffersons, Wonder Woman, and Magnum, P.I.. In 1974, he played firefighter Sonny Caputo in all 13 episodes of Firehouse. One of his most significant recurring roles was on Rhoda, where he portrayed lounge singer Johnny Venture across 11 episodes.
From New York Singer to Las Vegas Resident
Born in New York City in 1940, Michael DeLano's first foray into show business was through music. He signed with Swan Records in 1960 and recorded a series of songs under the stage name Key Larson.
He transitioned into acting in 1970, with his earliest film credit being the 1971 movie Catlow, which starred Yul Brynner and Leonard Nimoy. DeLano had been a resident of Las Vegas since 1992 and, until recently, was a regular performer at the city's Dispensary Lounge.
He is survived by his wife, Jean; his daughter, Bree; his grandsons, Michael and Lincoln; and his granddaughter, Jaxon. A celebration of his life is scheduled to take place on Sunday at The Dispensary Lounge in Las Vegas.
