Actor Stanley DeSantis died Tuesday in Los Angeles of a heart attack. He was 52.
The character actor also ran a longtime t-shirt company which licensed designs from entertainment properties. Born in Roslyn, New York, he grew up in Chicago and attended NYU film school, where he first began selling t-shirts from his apartment. One of his first designs, “Surrender Dorothy,” became one a popular design of the 70s. He held t-shirt licenses for properties including “Beavis and Butthead,” “The X-Files,” “The Simpsons,” “Titanic” and “South Park.”
DeSantis is perhaps best known for the role of Norman Neal Williams in the Peabody Award-winning “Armistead Maupin’s ‘Tales of The City.'” He appeared in feature films including “The Birdcage,” “Postcards from the Edge,” “Boogie Nights,” “Ed Wood,” “Bulworth” and “I am Sam.”
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On TV, he appeared in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under” and “Tracey Takes On.” He was currently appearing on HBO’s “Entourage” as independent producer Scott Wick. He also played Louis B. Mayer in “The Aviator.”
DeSantis is survived by three sisters and seven nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to L.A. GOAL, 4911 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90230.
