ACTOR HAD KNACK FOR MASTERING FILM ROLES.

Byline: SUSAN ABRAM Staff Writer

He almost always played the tough guy, his 6-foot-5 frame contributing to some of film and television's most memorable performances.

With more than 100 acting credits to his name, Frank Campanella was the consummate character actor, portraying bad guys and cops, judges and sea captains.

Campanella died Saturday at his home near Toluca Lake. He was 87.

``He always wanted to be an actor and kind of influenced me,'' said his older brother, actor Joseph Campanella. ``He was great with my kids, with his time, and generous with his money, a perennial student, always reading and learning.''

Born March 12, 1919, in New York City, Campanella set out to become a concert pianist. His father had been a musician and piano builder, whose orchestra performed with Jimmy Durante, Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor.

But acting beckoned the young Frank and he enrolled at Manhattan College as a drama major. With his tall frame and flattened nose, he looked like a prize fighter, but was always a gentleman, family and friends said.

During World War II he worked as a civilian interpreter, deciphering Italian and Sicilian dialects for the U.S. government.

``We grew up speaking Italian before speaking English'' Joseph Campanella said. ``We were your big Italian family.''

Frank Campanella helped Robert De Niro with the Sicilian dialog in ``The Godfather Part II.'' And he had a distinction of acting in almost all of the films directed by Garry Marshall, including the role of Col. Eastland ``Flamingo Kid'' and Pops in ``Pretty Woman.''

One of his most distinctive roles was his first -- that of Mook the Moon Man on ``Captain Video'' in 1949.

``He was an amazing person,'' said Val Tonione, a friend of 40 years with whom he co-hosted a radio show titled ``Offbeat Notes on Music'' for KCSUN.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 10828 Moorpark St., North Hollywood.

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

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