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Gregory Sierra, who played major supporting roles in classic 1970s sitcoms including Sanford And Son and Barney Miller, has died aged 83.
The New York-born actor died on January 4, but a spokesperson for his family didn’t share the news until Friday via Deadline.
He died of cancer in Laguna Woods, Calif., His family has revealed.
TV Star: Gregory Sierra, best known for being a regular at Sanford And Son and Barney Miller in the 1970s, died in Laguna Woods, Calif. On Jan.4 of cancer at age 84.
In 1972, Sierra began one of his most popular roles as Julio Fuentes on the sitcom Sanford And Son, which starred Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson as the main characters.
His character Julio, a New York-born Puerto Rican, moves in alongside Fred and Lamont Sanford in the show’s second season.
Julio had an often trying relationship with the Foxx cult leader, who repeatedly told him to return to Puerto Rico, although Lamont often tried to smooth out their differences.
In 1975, Sierra joined the crime comedy Barney Miller as Sgt. Miguel ‘Chano’ Amanguale.
Laughter Riot: In 1972, Sierra began one of his most popular roles as Julio Fuentes on the sitcom Sanford And Son, which starred Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson as the main characters; still from Sanford And Son
The Executor: In 1975 Sierra joined the crime comedy Barney Miller as Sgt. Miguel ‘Chano’ Amanguale, who stole the show in the drama episode The Hero; still from Barney Miller
His character provided comedic relief with explosions in Spanish when he overheated.
The comic book series took a serious turn with the episode The Hero, in which Chano shot and killed two suspects to prevent a robbery.
Although his teammates, including Hal Linden as the main character and Abe Vigoda as Sgt. Pisces, recommend him for praise, he’s overcome with guilt.
“ I think Barney Miller is much more real than any other crime show, ” Sierra said in an interview for the 1976 TV Talk 2: Exploring TV Territory Critical Study, via The Hollywood Reporter.
“The people on the show have real problems. Kojak never worries. He knows he did it. Everything is still under control on this show. You never see the frustrations of police work or the kind of jokes that go on among real police officers. This is the kind of stuff we show on.
Bad timing: Sierra was written off from Barney Miller without explanation after the second season so he could star on the AES sitcom Hudson Street, which was set in an emergency room and directed by Barney Miller creator Danny Arnold; seen on Barney Miller’s set in 1974
Sierra, who was born in the Spanish Harlem of New York, also played a notable role in the 1973 episode of All In The Family, Archie Is Branded as a “ radical Jewish vigilante. ”
Sierra was written off from Barney Miller without explanation after season two so she could star on sitcom AES Hudson Street, which was set in an emergency room and directed by Barney Miller creator Danny Arnold.
However, the show only lasted six episodes before it was canceled.
Sierra went on to play major recurring roles in the crime drama Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice and Murder, She Wrote.
Varied career: Sierra has also appeared in movies with roles in Beneath The Planet Of The Apes, Papillon and The Towering Inferno; pictured with Alan Thicke on growing pains
Sierra was best known for his television work, but he appeared in high profile films throughout his career.
He played a mutant in the 1970s under Planet of the Apes and appeared alongside Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen in the prison break classic Papillon.
He played a bartender in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno and had a small role in Honey I Blew Up The Kid in 1992.
The last film Sierra released was Orson Welle’s experimental film The Other Side Of The Wind, which was filmed in the early and mid-1970s, but was not completed and released until 2018.
Final role: Sierra’s last film role was in Orson Welle’s experimental film, The Other Side Of The Wind, which was filmed in the early to mid-1970s but was not completed until 2018; photographed on Farrell For The People
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