Jon Polito was an American actor and voice actor. Some of his notable television roles included Detective Steve Crosetti in the first two seasons of Homicide: Life on the Street and as Phil Bartoli on the first season of Crime Story. Jon portrayed Gideon in the 1994 film The Crow.
Early Life
Jon Raymond Polito was born on December 29, 1950 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S to John Polito and Delaida Pompei. He has one older brother, Jack, and an older sister Rosemary. Jon acted at the West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys. Jon attended Villanova University on a drama scholarship and graduated on the Dean’s list.
Career
In the 1980s, Jon had appeared in many stage productions. Jon won an Obie Award for his work in theater off Broadway. For his work in film and television John receive the Mavericks spirit event award at cinequest film festival in 2005. In 2012, he won the award for best actor in a short film. Jon’s many roles include, Barton Fink, The Crow starring Brandon Lee, The Freshman starring Marlon Brando, and Big Eyes. Jon’s appearances in television include Crime Story, Ohara, and Homicide: Life on the Street.
Personal Life
Jon was openly gay. Fifteen years after first meeting, Jon married fellow actor Darryl Armbruster.
Death
Jon died from multiple myeloma at the City of Hope Hospital on September 1, 2016 at the age of 65.
Trivia
- Jon died the same day as his The Crow co star, Michael Massee’s 64th birthday. Coincidentally, Michael Massee died that same year in October
- After Brandon Lee cut himself on breakaway glass, Jon told Brandon “Don’t pull a Vic Morrow on this film.” Vic Morrow was an actor who was killed in an accident on the set of the film Twilight Zone: The Movie