Tony Lip

Tony Lip (born Frank Anthony Vallelonga; July 30, 1930 – January 4, 2013) was an American actor and occasional author, best known for his portrayal of crime boss Carmine Lupertazzi in the HBO series The Sopranos. He portrayed real-life Bonanno crime family mobster Philip Giaccone, in Donnie Brasco, and real-life Lucchese crime family mobster Francesco Manzo, in Goodfellas. It was at the Copacabana Nightclub where he first met Francis Ford Coppola and Louis DiGiamo, leading to his film debut in The Godfather but in a very small role. He also co-wrote his own book in 2005 named Shut Up And Eat!

Early and personal life
Lip was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania but grew up in The Bronx near John Gotti's boyhood home. He earned the nickname "Lip" in 1938 as he was very persuasive and could out-talk anyone. Lip also served in the United States army in years 1951 and 1953 while stationed in Germany. He worked at the Copacabana, starting in 1961, as maître d’ and supervisor, and met famous people like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Lip had resided in Paramus, New Jersey with his wife Dolores who died in 1999.

Death
Lip died January 4, 2013 at a hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey at age 82. He is survived by his sons, Nick Vallelonga and Frank Vallelonga Jr., brother Rudy Vallelonga and one grandson.

Film appearances

 * The Godfather (1972) - Wedding Guest (uncredited)
 * Crazy Joe (1974) - Mafia Hood (uncredited)
 * The Super Cops (1974) - Detroit Hitman (uncredited)
 * Dog Day Afternoon (1975) - Cop at JFK (uncredited)
 * The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) - Wedding Guest (uncredited)
 * Raging Bull (1980) - Nightcluber (uncredited)
 * The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984) - Frankie
 * Year of the Dragon (1985) - Lenny Carranza
 * Heart (1987) - Max
 * Last Rites (1988) - Cabbie
 * Lock Up (1989) - Guard
 * Goodfellas (1990) - Frankie The Wop
 * 29th Street (1991) - Nicky Bad Lungs
 * Innocent Blood (1992) - Frank
 * Who's the Man? (1993) - Vito Pasquale
 * A Brilliant Disguise (1994) - Pete
 * In the Kingdom of the Blind, the Man with One Eye Is King (1995) - Paulie
 * Donnie Brasco (1997) - Philly Lucky
 * A Brooklyn State of Mind (1998) - Bartender
 * The Signs of the Cross (2005) - Mario
 * All In (2006) - Darkman
 * Stiletto (2008) - Gus (final film role)

Series

 * Law & Order (1992/1996) - Bobby Murrows
 * The Sopranos (2001/2007) - Carmine Lupertazzi