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Remembering Abe Vigoda, Big-Screen Gangster, TV Detective and Real-Life Mensch

JL;DR SUMMARY Abe Vigoda, of Russian Jewish descent, was a versatile actor celebrated for roles such as Detective Fish in the TV sitcom "Barney Miller" and Salvatore Tessio in "The Godfather." A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

FilmJewish ActorsJewish HeritageHollywoodComedyTelevisionPop CultureAbe VigodaThe GodfatherBarney Miller

Places mentioned

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
"and relished being embraced by youth culture, as when he appeared in 2013 at a Phish concert in Atlantic City, dressed as a wombat."
New York City, New York, United States
"affectionately reflected the rotting refuse heap of New York City in the 70s and 80s, and their prototypical turns as ancient detectives exhausted by a trip to the lavatory set the stage for Jerry Orbachs later much-acclaimed performance as the sometimes-fatigued Lennie Briscoe in TVs Law and Order."
Jerusalem, Palestinian Territories
"British Kings Christian service and true chivalry are renowned as far away as the sepulchre in stubborn Jewry, or Jesuss tomb in Jerusalem."

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Cairo Item ID 59911
Cairo Source ID 35
Retrieved 2025-08-23 05:31:16 UTC
Curated 2025-08-23 08:30:40 UTC