Nicholas Colasanto Biography

Nicholas Colasanto was an American actor and TV director, best remembered for portraying "Coach" Ernie Pantusso in the American sitcom ‘Cheers.’ He served the United States Navy as a coxswain and was a decorated veteran of the Second World War. Initially, Colasanto worked as an accountant, but after watching Henry Fonda perform on Broadway, he took a liking for acting and directing. He directed over 100 episodes of several television series. These include series like ‘CHiPs,’ ‘Run for Your Life,’ ‘Bonanza,’ and ‘Hawaii Five-O.’ His acting pursuits include films such as ‘Family Plot,’ ‘Fat City,’ and ‘The Counterfeit Killer.’ He got his most memorable role of "Coach" Ernie Pantusso at a much later stage of his career. The performance earned him huge popularity and also Emmy nomination for three years that he featured in the series. His last major feature was in the Robert De Niro starrer blockbuster hit biographical sports-drama film ‘Raging Bull.’ An alcoholic of over two decades, Colasanto later became an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and succeeded in achieving sobriety.