Charley Scalies — a character actor who had roles on “The Wire” and “The Sopranos” — died on Thursday. He was 84.
The actor passed away in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, his daughter, Anne Marie Scalies, told the Hollywood Reporter.
The Philadelphia native appeared in all 12 episodes of “The Wire” during the HBO series’ second season in 2003. He played Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa — a former union man with a talent for stealing cars.
“As with all the other characters I’ve been blessed to portray, Horseface lives inside of me,” he said in a 2019 interview with Chesapeake Bay Magazine.
“I invite him out to play as needed.”
One year later, Scalies appeared in an episode of “The Sopranos” during its fifth season.
He played Coach Molinaro — a high school football coach Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) had in high school. Though, Scalies only appeared in Tony’s dream.
He also had roles in shows like “Law & Order,” “Cold Case,” “Jersey Girl,” “Liberty Heights” and “Condition Red.”
He also took on bit parts in ’90s movies like the Al Pacino-led “Two Bits” and sci-fi classic “12 Monkeys” starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt.
Scalies is survived by his wife of 62 years, Angeline, his kids Chuck, Angeline, Tony, Christa and Anne Marie and several grandchildren.
“His favorite audience,” his family noted in his obituary, “was always seated around the dinner table.”
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