Frank Pesce has passed away at the age of 75.
The actor was most known for his roles in films including Midnight Run, Top Gun, and Beverly Hills Cop. He also enjoyed a glittering career in TV, appearing in series such as Matlock and Kojak.
His death was confirmed to Deadline by the actor's partner, Tammy Scher, who revealed Pesce died of complications from dementia.
In a statement to Variety, Scher said: "I met Frank at a very low point in my life. He always said he saved me and he was right. I'd never met anyone like him.
"Frank was a force larger than life or any fictional character, always entertaining, intriguing, and fascinating. Unafraid to approach anyone and immediately make an acquaintance. Celebrities flocked to be near him as he had an encyclopedia of knowledge about music and movies."
Pesce was born in New York City on December 8, 1946, and was a longtime friend of actors such as Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza, and Robert Forster, according to the outlet.
He began his career as a guest star on shows like Police Story and Kojak in the mid-1970s. He also had small roles in Stallone's films Rocky and Paradise Alley.
He then went on to act in TV shows including Night Rider and Miami Vice.
Pesce also had roles in movies like American Gigolo, Young Doctors in Love, and Vigilante. He also appeared in hit shows like Cagney & Lacey, Knight Rider, The Greatest American Hero, Matlock, and Who's the Boss?
His career included bigger roles after he starred as a bar regular in Flashdance, which led to roles in Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop movies, Top Gun and Midnight Run.
Later in life, Pesce had small roles in projects including Donnie Brasco, Creed, and The Expendables 3.
Pesce also wrote the story of George Gallo's 1991 movie 29th Street,' which is based on his own early life story as a New York City lottery winner. Pesce starred in the movie as his real-life older brother Vito, while Dan Aiello played his father and Anthony LaPaglia starred as Frank.
David Permut, who produced the film, said of Pesce: "To say Frank was one of a kind would be a gross understatement. We shared our love and passion for film. He claimed to see more movies than Leonard Maltin and Roger Ebert combined."
Pesce is survived by his brother, Vito Pesce, sister-in-law Catherine Pesce and nieces Vanessa and Danielle Pesce. He will be buried on February 18 at Saint Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx, per Deadline.