Character actor Vincent Schiavelli, the long-faced veteran of over 150 film and television appearances, died of lung cancer December 26 at home in Sicily. He was 57 years old.

The Italian-American actor with droopy eyes who stood over 6'5" tall was best known for playing ghoulish-looking characters, most recently appearing in films like "Baadasssss!," "Tomorrow Never Dies," and "Death to Smoochy." He is known for acting in numerous Milos Forman films, including "Man on the Moon," "The People vs. Larry Flynt," "Valmont," "Amadeus," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "Taking Off." In recent years, Schiavelli focused his career on Italian film and theater projects and lived in Polizzi Generosa, Sicily.

In addition to making an indelible mark on film and television audiences with his memorably macabre visage, Schiavelli was chosen in 1997 by Vanity Fair as one of America's best character actors. The New York-born thespian attended acting school at NYU, was fluent in Sicilian, and was awarded the James Beard Journalism Award in 2001 for his work as a food writer, with articles published in magazines and newspapers.

Schiavelli's other notable film appearances include "Ghost," "Batman Returns," "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai," and "Fast Times At Ridgemont High." His over 50 television credits include roles on "Starsky and Hutch," "Taxi," "Cagney & Lacey," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."