Abe Vigoda has died. No, really.

[Adam]

Abe Vigoda, Det. Fish on TV's 'Barney Miller,' Dies at 94

The three-time Emmy nominee also starred in his own spinoff series and was memorable as a hitman in the first two 'Godfather' films.

Abe Vigoda, who earned Emmy Award nominations in three straight years for his portrayal of the world-weary Det. Phil Fish on the 1970s ABC sitcom Barney Miller, has died. He was 94.

The actor's daughter, Carol Vigoda Fuchs, confirmed the passing to The Associated Press, saying that Vigoda died on Tuesday morning at home in New Jersey.

Vigoda also is remembered for his role as hulking mob hitman Sal Tessio in Francis Ford Coppola’s first two Godfather films.

In 1982, People magazine noted that “the late” Abe Vigoda did not attend the Barney Miller wrap party, and rumors/reports of his death circulated many times in the ensuing years. A website was created with a sole purpose: to indicate whether the actor was dead or alive. (That website had not been updated as of 11:15 a.m. Pacific time on Tuesday.)

The good-natured Vigoda capitalized on the bizarre situation to keep his career going in his later years. He made frequent appearances on Late Night With Conan O’Brien and the Today show, starred with Betty White in a wildly popular Snickers commercial that debuted during the 2010 Super Bowl telecast and was revealed to be inside a furry costume onstage at a 2013 Phish concert in Atlantic City, N.J. (He and his spinoff show, Fish, are referenced in their song, “Wombat.”)

Well, this should upset the internet.

[Lady Marva]

Got no idea who this is. my Internet is holding steady.

[Celeste Chalfonte]

Well, this should upset the internet.

RIP. He was a yeoman actor and a very funny guy. A long and productive life, death at home at an advanced age. What more could one ask for?

[Norm dePlume]

Ah, spinn, the joke's finally over.

[Djharkavy]

Got no idea who this is. my Internet is holding steady.

He was a character actor, best known for his role as Phil Fish in Barney Miller.

Sent from my phone, using Tapatalk.
All mistakes are caused by the phone.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

[william the wierd]

He was a character actor, best known for his role as Phil Fish in Barney Miller.

Sent from my phone, using Tapatalk.
All mistakes are caused by the phone.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

I doubt that's true anymore. Most of the actual 70s shows come across as dated and bizarre in syndication. Platform shoes and leisure suits for men? It's actually painful to watch "A-Team" and many other series from that era now. Given a choice of watching a "Car 54, Where are you?" or "Barney Miller" marathon I'll go with 54. "The Godfather" trilogy is at least a minor classic and Vigoda was a critical, if small, reason why that is so.

[Djharkavy]

I doubt that's true anymore. Most of the actual 70s shows come across as dated and bizarre in syndication. Platform shoes and leisure suits for men? It's actually painful to watch "A-Team" and many other series from that era now. Given a choice of watching a "Car 54, Where are you?" or "Barney Miller" marathon I'll go with 54. "The Godfather" trilogy is at least a minor classic and Vigoda was a critical, if small, reason why that is so.

I was playing to the audience in question...

http://imdb.com/rg/an_share/name/name/nm0001820/

Sent from my phone, using Tapatalk.
All mistakes are caused by the phone.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

[Newman]

He was a character actor, best known for his role as Phil Fish in Barney Miller.

Sent from my phone, using Tapatalk.
All mistakes are caused by the phone.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

It's the Godfather I remember.

[Adam]

Almost half a year later, I think this probably should have been seen as a sign of things to come.