“Green Book” actor Frank Vallelonga Jr. has died, Fox News Digital can confirm.
“I’m very sad to confirm Frank’s death,” Vallelonga Jr.’s rep said. “It’s a terrible tragedy. He was an incredible guy and a great actor.”
The New York Police Department received a call regarding an unconscious male in front 1243 Oak Point Avenue, within the confines of the 41 Precinct, on Monday, Fox News Digital can confirm.
Upon arrival, police found a dead body in the street and later identified the deceased as Vallelongo Jr., police told TMZ.
“The male had no obvious signs of trauma observed,” the NYPD said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “EMS responded to the location and pronounced the male deceased at the scene.”
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Frank Vallelonga Jr.’s father was the Copacabana bouncer known as “Tony Lip.”
(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for AFI)
NYPD arrested a 35-year-old male named Steven Smith. He has been charged with concealment of a human corpse in relation to Vallelonga Jr.’s death. Video surveillance allegedly showed Smith dumping the actor’s body from a vehicle in the Bronx, a police spokesperson told the New York Post.
The medical examiner will determine the cause of death and an investigation remains ongoing, according to NYPD.
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Vallelonga Jr. was the son of Frank Vallelonga Sr., a Copacabana bouncer known as “Tony Lip.” Vallelonga Jr. starred in the film “Green Book” which followed his father’s journey as African-American pianist Don Shirley’s bodyguard through the segregated South.
Vallelonga Sr. was portrayed by Viggo Mortensen in the 2018 film while Vallelonga Jr. portrayed his uncle Rudy Vallelonga.
“Green Book” won the Oscar for best picture at the 2019 Academy Awards.
Source: Fox News
