Alex Rocco, Moe from 'Godfather,' dies

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Alex Rocco, Moe Greene from 'Godfather,' dies Actor Alex Rocco has passed away at the age of 79. Perhaps best known for his role as mobster Moe Greene in 'The Godfather,' he also did voices for animated shows like 'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy.'

Alex Rocco, who famously played mobster Moe Greene in The Godfather, has died at age 79.

Daughter Jennifer Rocco posted the news on her Facebook page late Saturday night.

"Alex Rocco, a.k.a. Alessandro Federico Petricone, Jr., passed away just hours ago on July 18, 2015," Jennifer Rocco wrote. "February 29, 1936 - July 18, 2015 RIP. Dad, be with Mom and Marc....I will see you but not for a while...."

Rocco played the casino owner Greene in 1972's The Godfather. He called the role in the classic movie "without a doubt, my biggest ticket anywhere. I mean that literally."

The actor showed a lighter side to his work in the decades to follow, including frequent appearances as Charlie Polniaczek in the 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life.

Rocco also did voices for animated hits such as The Family Guy and The Simpsons — for the latter as the head of Itchy and Scratchy Studios, Roger Meyers Jr.

He won an Emmy in 1990 for outstanding actor in the short-lived comedy series starring Jon Cryer, The Famous Teddy Z. In an interview with the website The AVClub.com, Rocco called that role as bombastic Al Floss his "favorite character." The show lasted just 12weeks on the air for CBS in 1989.

Rocco played the love interest to Valerie Perrine in one of his final roles, 2014's Silver Skies.

"I usually kill people," Rocco said, describing the role in his final interview. "This is one of the best shoots of my life ... I'm having fun."

Rocco played Jeffrey Dean Morgan's screen father in the Starz series Magic City, which ended in 2013.

"We lost a great one yesterday. An amazing talent to be sure," Morgan said in a statement. "But, more than that, (Rocco was) an amazing husband, father, and friend. For those of us lucky enough to get to know Rocco, we were blessed. He gave the best advice, told the best and dirtiest jokes, and was the first to give you a hug and kiss when it was needed. To know Roc, was to love Roc. He will be missed greatly. There is a little less magic in the world today. Rest in peace 'pops.' Love and miss you madly."

According to Variety, Rocco is survived by his wife, actress Shannon Wilcox, his daughter Jennifer, son Lucien and a grandson.