Frank Pesce, 'Top Gun,' 'Beverly Hills Cop' Actor, Dies of Dementia-Related Complications | Other Celebrities Who Succumbed to Dementia
Frank Pesce, who acted for big movies, such as "Top Gun" and "Beverly Hills Cop," has died at age 75 due to dementia-related complications. The actor's girlfriend, Tammy Scher, confirmed the actor died peacefully in Burbank, California on February 6, HITC reported. However, it was not clear if he was surrounded by loved ones when he passed.
Frank Pesce: Life and Career Highlights
Frank Pesce was born on December 8, 1946, in New York City. Per Mirror, the late actor was known for his "larger-than-life personality" and "impressive acting."
According to Deadline, Pesce's career started in the mid-1970s. He guested on series, including "Kojak" and "Police Story."
In the 1986 Tom Cruise movie "Top Gun," Pesce played the role of a bartender. He has also acted for minor roles in Sylvester Stallone films, "Rocky" and "Paradise Alley."
Pesce's most recognizable roles, according to WGNTV, were his appearance in the first two "Beverly Hills Cop" films in the 1980s. In the first installment, Pesce appeared as "a cigarette buyer in the opening scene." In the sequel, Pesce played the character of a thug named Carlotta, as stated on his IMDB page.
His other successful roles include his appearance in features, including "Miami Vice," "Midnight Run," and "Matlock."
Frank Pesce was also credited for the film "29th Street," which he co-wrote with James Franciscus. The main character was named "Joe Pesce." According to the late actor, it was autobiographical.
Meanwhile, Scher also revealed that the statement "They make movies about guys like me" will be written on his epitaph.
What Is Dementia?
The National Institute on Aging defines dementia as the loss of cognitive functioning (i.e., thinking, remembering, reasoning) affecting the daily life of the person. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out, dementia is not a specific disease but a general term for impaired cognitive ability. Alzheimer's disease, CDC added, is the most common type of dementia, contributing to 60-70% of cases.
This syndrome is caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain - primarily or secondarily.
The World Health Organization highlighted that even though dementia mainly affects the older population, it is not a part of normal aging. Based on the latest records, there are above 55 million people in the world who are living with dementia. Per WHO, 10 million new cases are being recorded every year.
Dementia ranks as the 7th leading cause of death among the diseases. It is "one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people," WHO added.
Celebrities Who Died of Dementia
Aside from Frank Pesce, some other politicians and celebrities have died of dementia. Ranker listed some famous people who have suffered and succumbed to dementia. Among them were:
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan, born on February 6, 1911, was the 40th American President, serving from 1981 to 1989. In 1994, he wrote a letter announcing he has Alzheimer's disease. Reagan died on June 5, 2004 at age 93.
Rita Hayworth
Born MArgarita Carmen Cansino, American actress and dancer Rita Hayworth peaked her career in the 1940s, even termed as "The Love Goddess." As one of the era's top stars, she appeared in 61 films over 37 years. It was during the 1970s (Hayworth was on her 50s) when her abuse of alcohol use during her younger years started to affect her brain. At 68, she died in February 1987.
Etta James
Jamesetta Hawkins, more popularly known as Etta James was a legendary American singer. The versatile singer has performed in various genres. These include R&B, soul, blues, rock and roll, gospel and jazz. The "At Last" singer started her career in 1954.
In 2011, James was reported to have been diagnosed with dementia while battling leukemia. The following year, on January 20, she passed away at age 73.
Burgess Meredith
Award-winning actor, writer, director, and producer Oliver Burgess Meredith, or Burgess Meredith, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 16, 1907. He has bagged several prestigious acting awards (including two Emmys) and nominations. He has been called "one of the most accomplished actors of the century."
On September 9, 1997, he died of Alzheimer's disease and melanoma at age 89.
This article is owned by Latin Post
Written by: Beau West
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