It’s been four years since the tragic death of actor Gregory Sierra from cancer at 83 years old. He was best known as Detective Chano Amenguale on TV’s long-running hit police sitcom, Barney Miller (ABC, 1975-1982). Actor Max Gail played Detective Stanley Wojohowicz on that beloved series and, in a recent post on his Facebook page, shared a few poignant thoughts about Sierra.
A Closer Look
Gregory Sierra was born of Puerto Rican descent on January 25, 1937, in New York City. He attended the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in Brooklyn, New York, which was a preparatory school for boys considering the priesthood.
Sierra worked with the National Shakespeare Company and in the New York Shakespeare Festival and appeared in off-Broadway productions. In 1967, he appeared on Broadway as a standby in “The Ninety Day Mistress.”
Then Came TV
Before his historic performance as Chano Amenguale on Barney Miller, Gregory Sierra made several appearances as Julio Fuentes, neighbor to Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson’s characters on TV’s Sanford and Son.
Sierra also made countless other TV appearances on shows like The Streets of San Francisco and All in the Family, many times speaking without the Latino accent he utilized on Sanford and Son and his most famous role on Barney Miller.
“While he moved on after the second season,” Barney Miller co-star and friend Max Gail observed, Sierra “made an indelible impression with his portrayal of Chano Amenguale. Chano was sharp-witted and street smart, sarcastic and cynical, had opinions he was never afraid to share, a deep pride in his Puerto Rican heritage.”
Gail took particular note of Sierra’s “masterful” performance in the Barney Miller episode, titled, “Hero.” Gail said Sierra offered “a soft heart and vulnerable side hidden under it all,” and delivered “one of the most emotional and powerful moments of the whole series.”
Gail also described Sierra’s performance as “very funny,” concluding that the character of Chano will forever be “an important part of the magic that made Barney Miller one of the best TV shows ever made.”
“Here’s to you, Gregory,” Gail concluded.
This article originally appeared on Newsbreak.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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Featured Image Credit: maxgail.com.