Paul Picerni, a World War II veteran who starred in 1960s TV series “The Untouchables” and movies such as the horror classic “House of Wax,” has died.
The longtime Tarzana resident died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 88.
Before Hollywood, Picerni was a World War II B-24 bombardier in the China-Burma-India theater. He was part of the allied aerial bombing squadron that destroyed the bridge made famous in the movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” according to manager and family friend John Gloske.
Picerni died at his home in Llano, near Palmdale, where he lived the last two years of his life, Gloske said.
“I’m in shock,” Gloske said Friday. “He was getting older obviously, but he was so full of life. When we were with him, you never felt that he was old.”
Called “the friendliest actor in Hollywood” during an appearance on 1960s game show “Your First Impression,” Picerni was born in Corona, N.Y., on Dec. 1, 1922.
He flew 25 combat missions with the Army Air Force and received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and achievement during an aerial flight. He later served as a Special Services officer in India after the Japanese surrender.
Picerni moved to Los Angeles after he was discharged, in search of the warm weather he had become accustomed to in Asia during the war and to follow his dream of acting. He enrolled at Loyola Marymount University to study drama and took gigs as film extras before becoming among the last male contract players that Warner Bros. Studios signed.
He went on to appear in numerous TV shows, Westerns and war movies, often playing Italian characters.
Picerni was perhaps best known for his role as Scott Andrews in “House of Wax” during the 1950s 3-D film craze and as Lee Hobson, Robert Stack’s right-hand man in “The Untouchables” from 1960 to 1963. He also had roles in “Airport,” “The Scalphunters,” “To Hell and Back” and “Operation Pacific.”
He worked with Hollywood greats such as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who produced “The Untouchables,” John Wayne, Burt Lancaster, Errol Flynn, Telly Savalas, Audie Murphy, Vincent Price and Charles Bronson.
In his private life, Picerni was an avid golfer and three-card poker player.
He is survived by his wife Marie, their six living children and 10 grandchildren.
“We had 63 wonderful years together,” said Marie Picerni. “It was the kind of marriage that just doesn’t happen in Hollywood very often.”
Picerni’s funeral will be held at San Fernando Mission Rey Church at noon Thursday.
