Al Checco, Actor Who Teamed With Don Knotts, Dies at 93

Al Checco, actor and comedy partner of Don Knotts in entertaining U.S. troops overseas during World War II, died at his home in Studio City on July 19. He was 93.

He began his acting and singing career on stage on Broadway in New York City, where he performed in musicals including “Crazy for You,” “Damn Yankees,” “South Pacific,” “Man of La Mancha” and “Showboat” and stage plays including “An Inspector Calls.”

Checco’s films include “Pete’s Dragon” (1977), “Bullitt” (1968), “Hotel” (1967) and “The Party” (1968). His TV credits included guest appearances on “Batman,” “The Rockford Files,” “Adam 12,” “Bonanza,” “Medical Center,” “Love Boat” and “Dallas.”

Earlier he guested several times on “The Andy Griffith Show,” including playing Mort, the bank robber in the episode “The Bank Job.”

Born in Pittsburgh, Checco graduated from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama and later provided the funding for the Al Checco Rehearsal
Studio of the Purnell Center for the Arts there.

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In 2007 Providence Saint Joseph Foundation in Burbank named the Acute Rehabilitation Floor of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in honor of Checco and his wife, Jean Bradley, who predeceased him.

A memorial service has been set for Wednesday, July 29, beginning at 10 a.m., at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 13360 Valleyheart Drive North, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.

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