Michael DeLano, Veteran Character Actor of TV and Film, Dies at 84

Michael DeLano — the veteran actor whose career stretched across decades of hit television series, iconic action films, and major studio features — has died at the age of 84.

His family confirmed in a death notice that he passed away on Oct. 20 in Las Vegas.

Born in New York City in 1940, DeLano found his way into show business long before he ever appeared on screen. A daredevil by nature — skydiving, riding motorcycles, and seeking thrills wherever he could — he first experienced the spark of performing at age 10, after moving to Harlem and joining a neighborhood singing group. By 14, he was convinced he’d seen enough of life to leave home behind and head to Hollywood in pursuit of an acting career.

When that early dream didn’t pan out, he shifted to singing, traveling from town to town and taking any gig he could.

During his time in the Army, DeLano continued performing, spending three years acting and singing in military revues while also serving as a paratrooper.

In 1960, at just 20 years old, he briefly became “Key Larson” after signing a recording contract with Swan Records — the stage name came with the deal. He recorded several tracks and quickly booked appearances as a guest performer on American Bandstand, though the new name never felt authentic to him.

By the early 1970s, he had turned his focus back to acting, earning roles on Adam-12, Barnaby Jones, and Banyon, along with early film appearances in Catlow (1971) and The New Centurions(1972).

His first major television role arrived in 1974, when he played firefighter Sonny Caputo in all 13 episodes of ABC’s Firehouse, portraying the company cook and the resident comic relief.

More guest roles followed on some of TV’s most popular shows of the era, including Kojak, The Rockford Files, and Starsky and Hutch.

Soon after, he delivered one of his most memorable television performances as Johnny Venture, the smooth, charming lounge singer who appeared in 11 episodes of Rhoda alongside Valerie Harper.

DeLano continued to work steadily throughout the late ’70s and ’80s, booking appearances on Charlie’s Angels, The Jeffersons, Wonder Woman, Magnum, P.I., and The A-Team. On the film side, he played a motorcycle cop in 9 to 5 (1980) and took on the role of Forrestal — a former ally of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s John Matrix — in the 1985 action classic Commando.

He maintained that momentum into the 1990s, showing up in comedies like Another Stakeout and Father Hood, as well as action films such as Zero Tolerance, Lion Strike, Private Wars, and Fists of Iron.

His most widely recognized movie role arrived in 2001, when Steven Soderbergh cast him as a Las Vegas casino manager working under Andy García’s Terry Benedict in Ocean’s Eleven. He reprised the role in Ocean’s Twelve in 2004. Later credits included CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Wong Kar-wai’s My Blueberry Nights (2007), and his final appearance in two episodes of Royal Painsin 2012.

DeLano is survived by his wife Jean, his daughter Bree, and three grandchildren — Michael, Lincoln, and Jaxon.