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Angelo Salvatore RossittoAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 18.01.1908
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Angelo Salvatore Rossitto
Angelo Salvatore Rossitto was an American actor known for his unusual small stature and extensive career in the film industry. Born on January 18, 1908, in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, Rossitto stood at just 89 cm tall but achieved great success in Hollywood.
Early Career
Rossitto made his debut in silent films, working alongside stars such as Lon Chaney and John Barrymore. It was Barrymore who helped Rossitto establish himself as an actor. Throughout the years, Rossitto regularly appeared on screen alongside Bela Lugosi, often portraying villains, and even worked as a stand-in for Shirley Temple.
Notable Roles
Rossitto's roles primarily consisted of playing dwarfs, midgets, gnomes, and other small characters, as well as aliens and monsters. One of his most memorable roles was as Angelo, one of the circus performers, in the controversial horror film "Freaks" (1932) directed by Tod Browning. Additionally, he played Little Mo, a street informant and shoe shiner, in the police drama television series "Baretta" (1975), starring Robert Blake.
Later Career
At the age of 77, Rossitto nearly lost his eyesight, but he still took on the role of the deranged scientist "Master Blaster" in the action film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" (1985). Despite his successful acting career, Rossitto was never able to earn enough money to solely support himself as an actor. Therefore, he owned his own newspaper kiosk in Hollywood. He once stated, "I never had steady work. If it weren't for my newsstand, I'd never make a living. I would just be happy with bacon and eggs."
Legacy
Alongside actor Billy Barty, Rossitto was one of the founding members of the organization "Little People of America." He also became a character in Nathanael West's novel "The Day of the Locust" (1939).
Death
Angelo Rossitto passed away on September 21, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, due to complications during surgery. Throughout his life, he was known by various nicknames, including Little Mo, Little Angie, and Angelino.
