Popular crime show actor dies at 84 after ‘long battle with Alzheimer’s’

Charley Scalies, the actor known for playing Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa in “The Wire” and Coach Molinaro in “The Sopranos,” has died. He was 84.

The Philadelphia-born actor died in a nursing facility in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania “after a long battle with Alzheimer’s” on Thursday May 1, his obituary reads.

“Professionally, Charley Scalies was an American actor and former business executive whose life reflected a rich blend of professional achievement, creative passion, and a true joy for life,” the obituary reads. “His favorite audience was always seated around the dinner table.”

Born July 19, 1940, Scalies spent his childhood by entertaining patrons at his father’s pool hall in South Philadelphia.

His impressions and jokes from a young age eventually led him to performing in community and dinner theater productions in the early 1990s.

Scalies most notable roles included Nicely Johnson in “Guys and Dolls,” Billy Flynn in “Chicago” and the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz,” according to his obituary.

Scalies’ made his television debut in Al Pacino’s 1995 film “Two Bits.” However, Scalies is best known for his role as Thomas “Horseface” Pakusa in Season 2 of HBO’s “The Wire,” in which he appeared in all 12 episodes in 2003. He also appeared as Coach Molinaro in “The Sopranos” Season 5 episode titled “The Test Dream.”

Scalies’ other film and television credits include “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: SVU” and “Cold Case” as well as “12 Monkeys” (1995), “Liberty Heights” (1999) and “Jersey Girl” (2004).

Outside of acting, Scalies was an accomplished screenwriter. He wrote a screenplay called “It Takes Balls,“ which was inspired by his father’s pool room in Philadelphia.

Scalies is survived by his wife of 62 years Angeline, their five children and four grandchildren.