Frank Vallelonga Jr.Photo: Albert L. Ortega/GettyThe body of actor Frank Vallelonga, Jr., was found dead outside of a building in the Bronx earlier this week, the New York Police Department said.In a news release shared with PEOPLE, the NYPD said that the body has been identified as Vallelonga, known for his role in the 2018 filmGreen Book.He was 60.His cause of death has not been released; however, a 35-year-old male, Steven Smith, has been arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse, the release said.“The investigation remains ongoing at this time,” the NYPD said in the release.Officers were first alerted to “an unconscious male” in the Bronx at 3:50 a.m. local time on Monday. At the site, authorities found a male, who was unidentified at the time, “unconscious and unresponsive, on the ground at the location,” per the release.“The male had no obvious signs of trauma observed. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the male deceased at the scene,” officers said, noting that the medical examiner will later rule on how he died.According toThe New York Post,authorities saidVallelonga’s body was thrownout of a car and left outside of a sheet-metal manufacturing factory.Police sources told the outlet that based on an initial investigation, it is likely Vallelonga died from an overdose.A spokesperson for the NYPD also toldThe Postthat surveillance video captured Smith pushing the late actor’s body out of a car. He also allegedly admitted to the act during an interrogation for an unrelated case, per the outlet.However, Smith denied any involvement inVallelonga’s deathand told authorities, “That dude was dead already,” according to News 10 in Albany, New York. He added that he had never met Vallelonga.It was not immediately clear if Smith has a lawyer who can comment on his behalf.RELATED VIDEO: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Leslie Phillips Dead at 98Vallelonga’s father was actor Tony Lip, born Frank Vallelonga. Lip died in 2013 and appeared inThe Sopranos, 1997’sDonnie Brasco,The Godfather,and starred inGoodfellas, according toVariety.Vallelonga, Jr.’s big break came when he played his uncle, Rudy Vallelonga, inGreen Book.The movie won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019.Vallelonga, Jr.’s acting credits include appearances inThe NeighborhoodandThe Birthday Cake.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PerThe Post,Vallelonga, Jr., had teamed up with his brother Nick Vallelonga, who wroteGreek Book, to produce a new film titledThat’s Amorebefore his death.
Frank Vallelonga Jr.Photo: Albert L. Ortega/Getty
The body of actor Frank Vallelonga, Jr., was found dead outside of a building in the Bronx earlier this week, the New York Police Department said.In a news release shared with PEOPLE, the NYPD said that the body has been identified as Vallelonga, known for his role in the 2018 filmGreen Book.He was 60.His cause of death has not been released; however, a 35-year-old male, Steven Smith, has been arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse, the release said.“The investigation remains ongoing at this time,” the NYPD said in the release.Officers were first alerted to “an unconscious male” in the Bronx at 3:50 a.m. local time on Monday. At the site, authorities found a male, who was unidentified at the time, “unconscious and unresponsive, on the ground at the location,” per the release.“The male had no obvious signs of trauma observed. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the male deceased at the scene,” officers said, noting that the medical examiner will later rule on how he died.According toThe New York Post,authorities saidVallelonga’s body was thrownout of a car and left outside of a sheet-metal manufacturing factory.Police sources told the outlet that based on an initial investigation, it is likely Vallelonga died from an overdose.A spokesperson for the NYPD also toldThe Postthat surveillance video captured Smith pushing the late actor’s body out of a car. He also allegedly admitted to the act during an interrogation for an unrelated case, per the outlet.However, Smith denied any involvement inVallelonga’s deathand told authorities, “That dude was dead already,” according to News 10 in Albany, New York. He added that he had never met Vallelonga.It was not immediately clear if Smith has a lawyer who can comment on his behalf.RELATED VIDEO: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Leslie Phillips Dead at 98Vallelonga’s father was actor Tony Lip, born Frank Vallelonga. Lip died in 2013 and appeared inThe Sopranos, 1997’sDonnie Brasco,The Godfather,and starred inGoodfellas, according toVariety.Vallelonga, Jr.’s big break came when he played his uncle, Rudy Vallelonga, inGreen Book.The movie won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019.Vallelonga, Jr.’s acting credits include appearances inThe NeighborhoodandThe Birthday Cake.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PerThe Post,Vallelonga, Jr., had teamed up with his brother Nick Vallelonga, who wroteGreek Book, to produce a new film titledThat’s Amorebefore his death.
The body of actor Frank Vallelonga, Jr., was found dead outside of a building in the Bronx earlier this week, the New York Police Department said.
In a news release shared with PEOPLE, the NYPD said that the body has been identified as Vallelonga, known for his role in the 2018 filmGreen Book.He was 60.
His cause of death has not been released; however, a 35-year-old male, Steven Smith, has been arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse, the release said.
“The investigation remains ongoing at this time,” the NYPD said in the release.
Officers were first alerted to “an unconscious male” in the Bronx at 3:50 a.m. local time on Monday. At the site, authorities found a male, who was unidentified at the time, “unconscious and unresponsive, on the ground at the location,” per the release.
“The male had no obvious signs of trauma observed. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the male deceased at the scene,” officers said, noting that the medical examiner will later rule on how he died.
According toThe New York Post,authorities saidVallelonga’s body was thrownout of a car and left outside of a sheet-metal manufacturing factory.
Police sources told the outlet that based on an initial investigation, it is likely Vallelonga died from an overdose.
A spokesperson for the NYPD also toldThe Postthat surveillance video captured Smith pushing the late actor’s body out of a car. He also allegedly admitted to the act during an interrogation for an unrelated case, per the outlet.
However, Smith denied any involvement inVallelonga’s deathand told authorities, “That dude was dead already,” according to News 10 in Albany, New York. He added that he had never met Vallelonga.
It was not immediately clear if Smith has a lawyer who can comment on his behalf.
RELATED VIDEO: ‘Harry Potter’ Star Leslie Phillips Dead at 98
Vallelonga’s father was actor Tony Lip, born Frank Vallelonga. Lip died in 2013 and appeared inThe Sopranos, 1997’sDonnie Brasco,The Godfather,and starred inGoodfellas, according toVariety.Vallelonga, Jr.’s big break came when he played his uncle, Rudy Vallelonga, inGreen Book.The movie won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019.
Vallelonga, Jr.’s acting credits include appearances inThe NeighborhoodandThe Birthday Cake.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
PerThe Post,Vallelonga, Jr., had teamed up with his brother Nick Vallelonga, who wroteGreek Book, to produce a new film titledThat’s Amorebefore his death.
source: people.com
