Antonio Sabáto Sr., the burly, Italian-born actor who starred in the cult classic “Escape from the Bronx,” has died at the age of 77.
Sabáto passed away Sunday in Los Angeles from coronavirus complications, his son’s publicist confirmed to the Daily News.
His son, actor-model Antonio Sabáto Jr., mentioned on social media earlier in the week that his father had been suffering from COVID-19 at a California hospital.
Born on Sicily in 1943, Sabáto Sr. made his Hollywood debut in the 1966 racing drama “Grand Prix.” Co-starring James Garner, Yves Montand and Eva Marie Saint, the film snagged three Academy Awards.
For his performance, he received a Golden Globe nomination in the Most Promising Newcomer category.
During the late 1960s, Sabáto starred in the Spaghetti Westerns “One Dollar Too Many” and “Twice a Judas.”
He also appeared in the 1978 sci-fi thriller “War of the Robots.”
In the mid-1980s, Sabáto moved his family to the U.S., noted Variety. But he continued to appear in predominantly Italian-language action films during the decade, including “Thunder,” “The Wild Team” and “Bye Bye Vietnam.”
He earned his final screen credit in 2006 during a seven-episode arc on the daytime drama “The Bold and the Beautiful” — appearing alongside his son, according to IMDb.
Along with Antonio Sabáto Jr., the actor leaves behind daughter, Simonne.
