final credits - richard bright
Character actors are a special breed. They bring instant credibility to secondary roles, and over time become the familiar faces that viewers just quite can't seem to place. Bright's face on the screen usually brought menace.
The Brooklyn-born Bright made his film debut in a small part in Robert Wise's late-period film noir classic "Odds Against Tomorrow." He appeared in many early films directed by his friend Sam Peckinpah (including 1972's "The Getaway, " 1973's "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" and 1974's "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia").
Bright may be best remembered for his role as Al Neri in "The Godfather" trilogy, playing Michael Corleone (Al Pacino)'s bodyguard and top assassin -- he was dressed as a cop murdering rival mob boss Barzini and his henchmen during the first film's famous baptism scene. He showed up again in the film's sequels (murdering John Cazale's Fredo Corleone during a fishing trip at the end of the second movie).
Bright also appeared in Sergio Leone's 1984 gangster epic "Once Upon A Time In America," Sam Raimi's 1985 "Crimewave," in "Rancho Deluxe," "Marathon Man," "Looking For Mister Goodbar" and the 1979 film adaptation of "Hair." After retiring from the movies, Bright appeared on TV in roles on "Hill Street Blues," "Law and Order," "Oz," "Third Watch" and "The Sopranos." All told, Bright appeared in nearly 80 film and television roles.
Bright was dragged to his death in a horrific tour-bus accident on New York's Lower West Side. Bright was caught under the rear wheels of the bus as it rounded an intersection. The driver of the bus told police he didn't know he had hit anyone.
Neighbours near his brownstone on 85th Street said Bright always made time for young actors who dropped by his house. A manager at the 3 Star Coffee Shop, near the site of the fatal accident, said Bright ate at the diner every night, and was probably on his way to the eatery when he was struck.
Bright was arrested in 1965 on obscenity charges for language used in a San Francisco play. The American Civil Liberties Union took up the case, and the charges against Bright were later dismissed in what was considered a precedent for artistic expression rights. Bright has a Bacon number of 2.
Bright was 68 when he was run over on February 18th, 2006.
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