Chick Vennera

American actor (1947–2021)
Joanne Mary Divito
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(m. 1971; div. 1982)​
Suzanne E. Messbauer
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(m. 1983)​
Children2

Francis Vincent Vennera[1] (March 27, 1947 – July 7, 2021) was an American actor, known for his role as Joe Mondragon for Robert Redford's The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), among other movies. Vennera voiced Pesto the pigeon for the animated show Animaniacs. He also often served as a voice double for actor Joe Pesci.

Acting

Vennera served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, first in the Signal Corps and later in the Special Services division.[2][3][4][5] Afterwards, he began a career as an actor and dancer. He was also a musician, playing several instruments. Vennera's first acting role of note was in the Broadway production of Grease, having toured with the musical for a year. He continued working as a performer, and appeared in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday, where he performed a dance routine atop several cars. His acting career continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in many films and television series. In 1979, Vennera appeared as Vietnam War veteran Mitch Costigian in three episodes of Vega$, along with Robert Urich. In 1989, he appeared in three episodes of The Golden Girls, two of them as the character Enrique Mas.

Vennera also began doing voice acting during the 1980s, with roles on Hanna-Barbera programs. However, his most notable role was Pesto on Warner Bros. Animation/Amblin Entertainment's successful animated series Animaniacs. Prior to his death, Vennera also taught acting.

Personal life

Vennera died from cancer at his home in Burbank, California, on July 7, 2021, at the age of 74.[1]

Selected filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1978 Thank God It's Friday Marv Gomez [6][7]
1979 Yanks Sergeant Danny Ruffelo [6][7]
1981 High Risk Tony [6][8]
1988 The Milagro Beanfield War Joe Mondragon [6][7]
1991 The Terror Within II Kyle [6][8]
1991 McBain Roberto Santos [6][7]
1997 Time Under Fire Spitz
1999 Wakko's Wish Pesto Voice, direct-to-video[9][10][11]
1999 Final Voyage Dennis
2000 Intrepid Ellerson [6][11]
2001 Air Rage Fishmam
2005 Glass Trap Paolo [10]
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1978–1980 Vega$ Mitch Costigian 3 episodes[6]
1985 The Jetsons Additional voices [6]
1986–1987 Foofur Sam Voice, 16 episodes
1986 Diff'rent Strokes Spider [6][11]
1989 The Golden Girls Pepe, Enrique 3 episodes[6][11]
1992 Batman: The Animated Series Twitch Voice, episode: "Off Balance"[9]
1993 Bonkers Chick Voice, 2 episodes
1993–1998 Animaniacs Pesto, Joe Pesci Voice, 22 episodes[6][11][9]
1996–1997 The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Lorenzo, Thug #2, Gustavo Arollo, Walker, Additional Voices Voice, 9 episodes[9]
1998 JAG Benny Turpin 2 episodes[6]
1998 Cow and Chicken Salesman Voice, episode: "Free Inside!"[9]
2000 That's Life Luciano [6][11]
2000 Batman Beyond Chauffeur Voice, episode: "Ace in the Hole"[9][6]
2002–2004 Static Shock Ferret Voice, 3 episodes[9][11]
Video games
Year Title Voice role
1997 Zork: Grand Inquisitor Hades Beast, House Alarm
1998 Animaniacs: Ten Pin Alley Pesto, Godpigeon[9]
2009 Bayonetta Enzo[9][12]

References

  1. ^ a b Evans, Greg (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera Dies: 'Thank God It's Friday', 'The Golden Girls' Actor Was 74". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  2. ^ "VENNERA, Chick 1952– (Francis Vennera, Chick Vennera) PERSONAL". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Barnes, Mike (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera, Actor in ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ and ‘The Milagro Beanfield War,’ Dies at 74". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Garvey, Marianne (July 9, 2021). "Chick Vennera, 'Thank God It's Friday' and 'The Golden Girls' actor, dead at 74". CNN. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  5. ^ Peters, Fletcher (July 8, 2021). "Chick Vennera, ‘The Golden Girls’ and ‘Milagro Beanfield War’ Actor, Dead at 74". Decider. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Chick Vennera". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d "Chick Vennera". American Film Institute. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Chick Vennera – Filmography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Chick Vennera (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 1, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  10. ^ a b "Chick Vennera". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Chick Vennera List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Bayonetta Developer Commentary Part 56". platinumgames.com. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  • Chick Vennera at IMDb