Michael DeLano Dead: Actor Known for ‘Commando’ & ‘Rhoda’ Roles was 84

The singer/ actor also appeared in the 'Ocean's Eleven' films.

Michael DeLano Dead: Actor Known for 'Commando' & 'Rhoda' Roles was 84
FIREHOUSE, Michael Delano, 1973-74.

Everett Collection

What To Know

  • Michael DeLano, known for roles in Rhoda, Commando, and the Ocean’s Eleven films, died of a heart attack at age 84 in Las Vegas.
  • In addition to his acting career, DeLano was a real-life lounge singer who performed at Las Vegas’ Dispensary Lounge into his 80s.
  • He is survived by his wife, daughter, and three grandchildren, with a celebration of life scheduled for November 30 at the Dispensary.

Michael DeLano, an actor and singer best known for his roles as lounge singer Johnny Venture on the Mary Tyler Moore Show spinoff Rhoda and a car salesman in the Arnold Schwarzenegger film Commando, died at the age of 84 in Las Vegas, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The cause of death was a heart attack.

Delano starred in the short-lived 1974 drama Firehouse, which only aired for one season; he might be most recognizable as Johnny Venture, the lounge singer whom Rhoda briefly dates after getting divorced. DeLano was a lounge singer in real life, as well, performing at Las Vegas’ Dispensary Lounge into his 80s.

DeLano might also be recognizable to ’80s action film fans as the car salesman who comes to a memorable end in the 1985 film Commando.

In the 2000s, DeLano appeared in a small role as a casino manager in 2001’s Ocean’s Eleven, as well as the 2004 sequel, Ocean’s Twelve.

Clips of DeLano’s 2015 performances at the Dispensary have been posted to his official Facebook page in the weeks since his death.

He is survived by his wife, Jean DeLano, daughter Bree, and three grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held on November 30 at the Dispensary.

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Gabrielle Moss

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