Angelo Rossitto

Angelo Rossitto

Angelo Salvatore Rossitto (February 18, 1908 – September 21, 1991) was an American actor and voice artist. He had dwarfism and was 2'11" (89 cm) tall, and was often billed as Little Angie or Moe. Angelo first appeared in silent films opposite Lon Chaney and John Barrymore. On-screen, he portrayed everything from dwarfs, midgets, gnomes, and pygmies as well as monsters, villains, and aliens, with appearances in more than 70 films.

Rossitto was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Salvatore Rossitto and Carmela Caniglia, both born in Carlentini, Province of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, and had a sister, Josephine Rossitto.

He was discovered by John Barrymore and made his screen debut opposite Barrymore in The Beloved Rogue (1927). That same year he appeared in Warner Brother's Old San Francisco. He appeared in the controversial 1932 film Freaks directed by Tod Browning, and another controversial film, 1938's Child Bride. During the 1940s, he appeared in several poverty row movies starring Bela Lugosi. He appeared frequently in television series and mini-series, particularly best known for the police drama Baretta, and his later film roles included appearances in Alex in Wonderland (1970), Brain of Blood (1971), Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971), Little Cigars (1973), and Fairy Tales (1978). His last major role was as "Master" opposite Mel Gibson in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985).

Rossitto appears alongside singer/songwriter Tom Waits and Lee Kolima on the cover art of Waits' 1983 album Swordfishtrombones, which pays homage to his performance in Freaks. He also appears on the cover of Bob Dylan's album The Basement Tapes.

Feb 18, 1908
Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Movie Credits

The Other Side of the Wind
The Other Side of the Wind
2018
Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook
Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook
1991
From a Whisper to a Scream
From a Whisper to a Scream
1987
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
1985
The Making of 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'
The Making of 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'
1985
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Something Wicked This Way Comes
1983
Smokey Bites the Dust
Smokey Bites the Dust
1981
Galaxina
Galaxina
1980
The Dark
The Dark
1979
Fairy Tales
Fairy Tales
1978
Help Woodsy Spread the Word
Help Woodsy Spread the Word
1977
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?
I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?
1975
The Master Gunfighter
The Master Gunfighter
1975
The Stone Killer
The Stone Killer
1973
The Clones
The Clones
1973
Little Cigars
Little Cigars
1973
The Other
The Other
1972
Mongo's Back in Town
Mongo's Back in Town
1971
Dracula vs. Frankenstein
Dracula vs. Frankenstein
1971
Brain of Blood
Brain of Blood
1971
Alex in Wonderland
Alex in Wonderland
1970
Pufnstuf
Pufnstuf
1970
Doctor Dolittle
Doctor Dolittle
1967
The Trip
The Trip
1967
The Perils of Pauline
The Perils of Pauline
1967
Requiem for a Heavyweight
Requiem for a Heavyweight
1962
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
1962
Confessions of an Opium Eater
Confessions of an Opium Eater
1962
The Magic Sword
The Magic Sword
1962
Pocketful of Miracles
Pocketful of Miracles
1961

Pictures

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