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Eddie Mekka Biography (1952-)

Original name, Rudolph Edward Mekjian (some sources spell surname "Mekkian");born June 14, 1952, in Worcester, MA; son of Vaughn V. and Mariam (a presser; maiden name, Apkarian) Mekjian; married Delyse Lively (divorced).

Nationality

American

Gender

Male

Occupation

Actor, dancer, choreographer, writer

Birth Details

June 14, 1952

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Stage Appearances
• Chorus dancer and singer, Promises, Promises, Chateau de Ville, MA, 1971
• Member of chorus, Jumpers, Billy Rose Theatre, New York City, 1972
• Manny, The Magic Show, Cort Theatre, New York City, 1973
• Lieutenant, The Lieutenant, Lyceum Theatre, New York City, 1974
• Chess, Terrace Theatre, Long Beach, CA, 1990
• Chickie, Belmont Avenue Social Club, George Street Playhouse, NewBrunswick, NJ, 1993
• Seymour Krelborn, Little Shop of Horrors, Bucks County Playhouse,New Hope, PA, 1993
• Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof, Bucks County Playhouse, 1993
• Jake's Women, Austin, TX, 1995
• Pseudolus, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Bucks County Playhouse, 1995, then Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Cape Fear, NC, 1996
• Major Tours
• Vince Fontaine, Grease, U.S. cities, 2000
• The Goodbye Girl, U.S. cities, 2002
• Appeared in touring production of Damn Yankees.
• Film Appearances
• Third actor, Beaches (also known as Forever Friends), BuenaVista, 1988
• Sammy, Bum Rap, 1988
• Mae's guy in bar, A League of Their Own, Columbia, 1992
• Joe Burns, Top of the World (also known as Cold Cash and Showdown), Warner Bros., 1997
• Jerry, Land of the Free?, 2002
• Television Appearances
• Series
• Carmine "The Big Ragoo" Ragusa, Laverne and Shirley (also known asLaverne & Shirley & Friends), ABC, 1976-1983
• Joey DeLuca, Blansky's Beauties, ABC, 1977
• Grady, Guiding Light (also known as The Guiding Light), CBS, 1992-1993
• Movies
• Vincent Savoia, Mulberry Street, 1990
• Barbaro, Taking the Heat, syndicated, 1993
• Gus, The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A., CBS, 1994
• Detective Murdoch, Catch Me If You Can (also known as Deadly Game and Hide and Seek), Fox Family Channel, 1998
• Specials
• Circus of the Stars #3, 1979
• Circus of the Stars #6, 1981
• Circus of the Stars #7, 1982
• Celebrity Daredevils, 1983
• The Laverne and Shirley Reunion, ABC, 1995
• Episodic
• Carmine Ragusa, "Joanie's Weird Boyfriend," Happy Days, ABC, 1977
• "Fonzie's Funeral: Part 2," Happy Days, ABC, 1979
• Johnny Detroit, "Hit Man/The Swimmer," Fantasy Island, 1979
• "Oldies But Goodies/Grass Is Always Greener/The Stages Love," The LoveBoat, ABC, 1979
• Stanley, "I Love You Too, Smith/Mamma and Me/Sally's Paradise," The Love Boat, ABC, 1981
• Bert Brodie, "Mother's Don't Do That/Marrying for Money/Substitute Lover," The Love Boat, ABC, 1982
• Burt's cousin, "In 'N Outlaws," Moonlighting, ABC, 1988
• Charlie Carnelli, "Flashpants," Family Matters, ABC, 1990
• Uncle Frank, "Harley and the Marlboro Man," California Dreams, NBC, 1992
• Mr. Nutting, "Sink or Swim," Family Matters, ABC, 1994
• Himself, "Come Back Lil' Tina," Hope & Gloria, NBC, 1996
• Tommy Svachino, "Men in Tights," Weird Science, USA Network, 1996
• Danny, "It's All Good, Fellas," The Jamie Foxx Show, The WB, 1998
• Process server, Sunset Beach, NBC, 1999
• Also appeared in an episode of America's Most Wanted, Fox; as Susy, Laverne & Shirley, ABC; guest panelist, The Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour; guest player, Body Language.
• WRITINGS
• Stage Musicals
• Wrote It's Just a Dream.

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals

• Las Vegas Review-Journal, April 28, 2000