Biography
Frank Puglia (1892–1975) was an Italian-American actor. Born Francesco Giuseppe Puglia in Linguaglossa, Sicily, he began performing in Italian operas as a teenager. He emigrated to the United States in 1907, worked in a laundry in New York, and joined an Italian-language theatre group. He was discovered on stage by D. W. Griffith in 1921 and went on to appear in over 150 films, often in ethnic or supporting roles such as priests, diplomats and musicians.
His film credits include uncredited parts in Casablanca (1943) as an Arab vendor, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Now, Voyager (1942) and A Star Is Born (1954). He appeared in television series including The Fugitive (1967) as Compadre, I Dream of Jeannie (1967) as Salvatori and Bonanza (1966) as Brother Nicholas. Puglia was originally cast as Bonasera in The Godfather (1972) but withdrew due to illness.
