- Born
- Died
- Birth nameFrank Perelli
- Nickname
- Frankie Ray
- Frank Ray Perilli had a colorful life, starting from a childhood in the mob-controlled ghettos of Chicago in the 20's and 30's, to a career as a nightclub comic and film character actor in the 40's and 50's, even making appearances on popular television shows of the time such as The Ed Sullivan Show, to being a staff writer for Shecky Greene and Dean Martin and Don Rickles and others, and ultimately becoming a prolific screenwriter and film producer of twenty films and four plays during the balance of his life. Perilli frequently collaborated with life-long friend William Karl Thomason on screenplays early in his career, and also collaborated on screenplays and comedy material with Lenny Bruce during the period that Perilli mentored and managed Lenny's career.
Perilli is known for such films as She Came to the Valley, End of the World, Laserblast, Mansion of the Doomed and Alligator.
Frank Ray Perilli's biography, "The Candy Butcher," was released days after his death from complications of the West Nile Virus on March 10, 2018. Written by William Karl Thomas.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Will Schmidt
- SpouseJulia R. Mastrantonio(? - August 16, 2010) (her death, 1 child)
- ChildrenMarco Perilli
- RelativesMary Elizabeth Mastrantonio(Niece or Nephew)
- Through his wife, his niece was Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
- [on Buddy Hackett] When I was collecting money to bury Lenny [Lenny Bruce] I thought that Buddy would give us a lot. He didn't even answer the telegram. The people that Lenny used to make fun of, like Milton Berle, Jack Benny, George Burns--they are the ones that gave money for the funeral. They all sent money. Buddy, I don't know, I never did find out . . . I think maybe when Lenny was loaded Buddy couldn't get him on the phone and maybe he took it more personally or something. I don't know
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