Shortly after reports started to surface that “Do the Right Thing” actor Danny Aiello had died on Thursday at the age of 86, celebrities took to social media to share their condolences.
“We Laughed so much. Making #Moonstruck ..It was one of the happiest times in my life,& He Was apart of that Happy time,” Cher, who starred in “Moonstruck” with Aiello in 1987, wrote on Twitter.
“I’m ??’? Broken. Just Found Out My Brother DANNY AIELLO Made His Transition Last Night. Danny,We Made Cinema History Together With DO THE RIGHT THING. May You Rest In PARADISE,” “Do the Right Thing” director Spike Lee said of the actor.
“So so sad,” Michael Rapaport said of Aiello. “What a great actor. HUGE INSPIRATION for me personally.”
In a statement to TheWrap, Aiello’s family said: “It is with profound sorrow to report that Danny Aiello, beloved husband, father, grandfather, actor and musician passed away last night after a brief illness. The family asks for privacy at this time. Service arrangements will be announced at a later date.”
Aiello was best known for his role in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” as well as “Moonstruck” and “The Godfather Part II.” His other credits include “The Front” (1976), “Once Upon a Time in America” (1984), “The Purple Rose of Cairo” (1985), “Radio Days” (1987), “Harlem Nights” (1989) and “2 Days in the Valley” (1996).
He was Oscar-nominated for his supporting role in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” in which he plays an Italian-American character who has owned a pizzeria in a neighborhood in Brooklyn for 25 years and refuses to leave even as racial tensions amplify.
See the reactions below.
Goodbye Dear #DannyAiello ?
Danny was a Great Actor, But a
Genius Comedic Actor.We Laughed so much. Making #Moonstruck ..It was one of the happiest times in my life,& He Was apart of that Happy time.
Goodbye #JohnnyCammareri
?Loretta— Cher (@cher) December 13, 2019
So very sad to hear that Danny Aiello has died. He was a superb actor and a lovely person. It was a joy and an honor to work with him (in Broadway Danny Rose) Condolences and love to his family https://t.co/NSeGCes6sy
— Mia Farrow?? (@MiaFarrow) December 13, 2019
RIP #DannyAiello
From the Army to Greyhound labor rep to bouncer at The Improv to Hollywood stardom!!From Johnny in Moonstruck to Sal in Do The Right Thing.
That smile, that laugh, that NY attitude.They don’t make ‘em like Danny anymore.
What a talent… a true one of a kind. pic.twitter.com/ssaw9QvAVt— Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) December 13, 2019
Damn I’m so sad to hear the great
Danny Aiello has passed away.
So so sad. Such a great actor.
HUGE INSPIRATION for me personally.
Damn #DannyAiello pic.twitter.com/GEHuX4NNzj— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) December 13, 2019
Sad to hear about the great Danny Aiello passing. Would have loved to work with him, one of the cool guys. pic.twitter.com/ubHWEDRLXx
— Fede Alvarez (@fedalvar) December 13, 2019
We lost a great actor & a kind soul. I met Danny as a young actor & waitress in LA. Eveytime he came in he asked for me. And every time he left me a hundred dollar bill as a tip- “put it in the acting kitty”. We worked together once. Rest In Peace my friend. #DannyAiello ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2Eirx5cX3N
— gloria mann (@GloriaMann22) December 13, 2019
“This is my pizzeria!!!”
One of the greats. RIP Danny Aiello. pic.twitter.com/TVv4KS9quc— Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) December 13, 2019
God Bless Danny Aiello.
His Oscar nom was for Do The Right Thing but watch Jacob's Ladder to see him as a literal angel. pic.twitter.com/yFKeJCMmja
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) December 13, 2019
Danny Aiello
Rest In Peace my friend.
We lost a great actor today,
BUT more importantly we lost
a great person!
First day I met Danny he took me under his wing gave me advice on the business and life all the while driving me home in his Cadillac.
You’ll be missed!#DannyAiello?? pic.twitter.com/UsaFQQsfsx— KID VICIOUS? (@kirkacevedo) December 13, 2019
I would like to thank all of those sending their condolences on the passing of my uncle, Danny Aiello. He was a terrific man, self made, coming from nothing to be an Academy Award nominated actor. He loved his family dearly, adored his wife of 64 years, my Aunt Sandy.
— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) December 13, 2019
Danny Aiello Had a majestic leadership quality to his work. He always seemed to know what to do next. There was an authority that was both compassionate and sinister.Certainly one of the great Italian American actors to appear on the screen.Wrap in peace. https://t.co/drCJz46Wu9
— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) December 13, 2019
Family statement: “It is with profound sorrow to report that Danny Aiello, beloved husband, father, grandfather, actor and musician passed away last night after a brief illness. The family asks for privacy at this time. Service arrangements will be announced at a later date.” RIP pic.twitter.com/IejzPeAQzJ
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 13, 2019
Danny Aiello Dies: ‘Do The Right Thing’ Actor Was 86 – Deadline https://t.co/mfvAud9eOx RIP Danny,you were one of a kind
— TitusWelliver (@welliver_titus) December 13, 2019