“Barney Miller” Actor Max Gail Pays Homage to Deceased Co-Star Gregory Sierra

Featured

Written by:

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

More from MediaFeed:

5 Hacks for Solo Travel Success in 2025

5 Tricks for Solo Travel Success in 2025

If you are of the “I want to try traveling on my own,” ilk, there are some easy to employ tips I can share from my own experience. After 33 days abroad, many on my own, I developed some great hacks to ensure my enjoyment and safety. 

Here are the top 5 hacks to ensure success in your solo travel.

Uplight Pictures / iStock

It is a great way to meet other travelers – often times also solo traveling like you. On my first full day alone in Porto, I spent eight hours with a friendly woman from Luxemburg and a set of grandparents with their granddaughter. It was a lovely and very fulfilling way to share an experience with people I would never get to meet. And if I had been with my own entourage I would have been less likely to engage and be present. Hanging with other travelers helps mitigate potential loneliness.

Polina Strelkova/Istockphoto

Personally, I am an early riser. I also work while I’m on the road. Most mornings are spent on Kuel Life and then I set out on that day’s adventures. In full transparency, I don’t always feel comfortable out late at night alone. So I use evenings to plan future travel days, write, or catch up with family and friends.

Antonio_Diaz/Istockphoto

It’s good to have some staples on hand that make you feel “at home.” For me it’s my coffee, water, and some pieces of fruit and other healthy snacks. I don’t always want to eat out or go somewhere for coffee. I find that if I set up a “routine,” even in the midst of all the novelty of a new country, culture, or language, it aids in my feeling centered and safe. This is critical to staying out on the road for any length of time.

ASphotowed/Istockphoto

First and foremost, let people know where you are. Yes, you can allow family members to track your phone. But what happens if you lose your phone or it gets taken? My sister insisted she have the locations, dates, and the contact information of those I intended to see along the way in hand. Guess she wanted to make sure to be able to find the body. Secondly, make a physical list of emergency contacts and numbers. If you’re like me, you have no one’s phone number memorized. See the potential for disaster?

Natalia Navodnaia/Istockphoto

Where does your key live, your passport, your information for the day’s activities? You can have routine — even in the absence of one. This helps me not lose things or panic.

lucigerma/Istockphoto

Love to travel but have no one to go with? Don’t let that stop you. Now is the time to live the life you want. There is a great deal to be gained through the exercise. Hope these hacks to ensure solo travel success are helpful to you. And if solo travel just does not appeal to you in any way, that’s ok too. Stay tuned for our next Kuel Life Travel Adventure coming soon.

This article originally appeared on kuellife.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org

Drazen Zigic/Istockphoto

AlxeyPnferov / istockphoto

Featured Image Credit: maxgail.com.

AlertMe