Scarface and Carlito’s Way actor Caesar Cordova dies age 84 from natural causes
The famed character actor Caesar Cordova, who starred in the classic Al Pacino films Scarface and Carlito’s Way, has passed away.
The San Juan, Puerto Rican-born actor was 84.
Caesar’s son Panchito Gomez, who has appeared in TV shows such as CSI: Miami and NYPD Blue, announced his death on Friday.
Rest in peace: The famed character actor Caesar Cordova (left), from classic Al Pacino films Scarface and Carlito’s Way, has passed away at the age of 84; seen with Al on the set of 1983’s Scarface
A lifelong member of The Actor’s Studio, Cordova had a film and television career spanning 20 years, beginning in 1973 with the series Toma.
His last known credit was in Brian De Palma’s 1993 crime film Carlito’s Way, in which he played the barber.
In the middle of his career, Caesar hit fame with a role in 1983’s Scarface, as the cook at the El Paraiso taco stand.
Although that film, also directed by De Palma, was set in Miami, Cordova’s scene was shot in downtown Los Angeles.
In the middle of his career: Caesar hit fame with a role in 1983’s Scarface, as the cook at the El Paraiso taco stand
In addition to his two big movie roles opposite Pacino, Caesar also appeared on the Broadway stage with the more famous actor, in the play Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?
Cordova’s other film credits include Where the Buffalo Roam, with Peter Boyle and Bill Murray, Nighthawks, featuring Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams, and Shark’s Treasure, with Cornel Wilde and Yaphet Kotto, among others.
Caesar worked in television throughout much of the Seventies and Eighties, enjoying guest appearances on hit shows such as Kojak, Cagney And Lacey, The A-Team and Baretta.
His longtime friend: Pacino is seen here on the set of Stand Up Guys in Los Angeles in 2012
In addition to his two big movie roles: Caesar also appeared on the Broadway stage with Pacino in the play Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?
Born in Puerto Rico, Cordova was raised in New York City.
He served in the Army during the Korean War.
Cordova is survived by his wife Gladys Gomez, sons Panchito Gomez and Luis Gomez, daughters Ana Sanchez Gomez and Elena Gomez Martinez, and children from his first marriage Damarys Cordova, Abigail Cordova and Jesse Cordova.
He passed away in Atlantic City, New Jersey.