The elder son and namesake of bouncer turned actor Frank Vallelonga Sr. was found dead in the Bronx at 3:50 am on 28th November. The police found his body dumped unceremoniously in the area and suspected a case of overdose. The autopsy report which was made public has confirmed that suspicion. The report states that traces of fentanyl and cocaine were found in the 60-year-old’s system. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid which is 50 times stronger than heroine and 100 times stronger than morphine, has been at the center of America’s opioid epidemic. The drug is rarely used by itself due to its high efficacy but many dealers have been known to cut their cocaine or heroine supply with fentanyl to save money. Considering the strength of the drug, any miscalculation can lead to death by overdose. That is why fentanyl has claimed the lives of many Americans, both regular citizens and noted celebrities. Frank Vallelonga Jr. has become yet another name on that long list.
Frank Vallelonga Sr. also known as ‘Tony Lip’ shot to fame as a bouncer and body guard for legendary black pianist Don Shirley. He was hired by Shirley to guard him during the Jim-crow era, when black people were often lynched by white supremacists. He then become an actor, which later prompted his son to follow in his footsteps. The movie ‘Green Book’ is partially based on the life of Frank Vallelonga Sr. who was played by Oscar winner Viggo Mortensen. Vallelonga Sr. also had a recurring role on the award-winning cult classic show ‘Sopranos’. Frank Vallelonga Jr. played the role of his uncle Rudy in ‘Green Book’ and also had several credits on ‘Sopranos’.
Vallelonga Jr.’s body was dumped using a gray 2021 Hyundai Elantra which has been tied to his academy-award winning younger brother, Nick Vallelonga. Nick co-wrote the screenplay for ‘Green Book’ and brought home two Oscars for his efforts. It is said that Nick was not aware of the fact that his brother was using his car.
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A man named Steven Smith, aged 35 was arrested for dumping the actor’s body. Smith told the police that a woman named Pam had turned to him for help, saying that someone had overdosed in the car. He also claims to have had no idea about the identity of the actor having never met him before. According to his statement, Vallelonga Jr. had died before he arrived on the scene and he claims to have nothing to do with the overdose. In January, an arrest warrant was issued against him when he failed to appear at the Bronx Criminal Court on the charges of grand larceny, concealment of a human corpse and possession of a stolen vehicle.