Angelo Rossitto
Angelo Salvatore Rossitto (February 18, 1908 โ 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.
Known For
Credits
- 2018 ยทThe Other Side of the Windas Angelo
- 1991 ยทDracula: A Cinematic Scrapbookas Luigi / Indigo (archive footage)
- 1987 ยทStar Trek: The Next Generationas Spectator (uncredited)
- 1987 ยทFrom a Whisper to a Screamas Tinker
- 1985 ยทAmazing Storiesas Vaudevillian
- 1985 ยทMad Max Beyond Thunderdomeas Master
- 1985 ยทThe Making of 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'as Self
- 1983 ยทSomething Wicked This Way Comesas Little Person #1
- 1981 ยทSmokey Bites the Dustas Desk Clerk
- 1980 ยทGalaxinaas Monster from Egg
- 1980 ยทGalaxinaas
- 1979 ยทThe Darkas Angie (uncredited)
- 1978 ยทJason of Star Commandas Bork
- 1978 ยทFairy Talesas Otto
- 1977 ยทThe Incredible Hulkas Tom Thumb (uncredited)
- 1977 ยทThe Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteriesas
- 1977 ยทHelp Woodsy Spread the Wordas Woodsy Owl
- 1975 ยทI Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?as Little Pianist
- 1975 ยทThe Master Gunfighteras Side show midget
- 1975 ยทStarsky & Hutchas Big Ben
- 1975 ยทBarettaas
- 1974 ยทThe Rockford Filesas Dwarf Patient (uncredited)
- 1973 ยทThe Snoop Sistersas Little Igor
- 1973 ยทThe Stone Killeras Little Man in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
- 1973 ยทThe Clonesas Man at Phone Booth
- 1973 ยทLittle Cigarsas Angelo
- 1972 ยทKung Fuas Angelo (uncredited)
- 1972 ยทThe Otheras Sideshow Performer (uncredited)
- 1971 ยทMongo's Back in Townas Trembles
- 1971 ยทDracula vs. Frankensteinas Grazbo the Evil Dwarf
- 1971 ยทLidsvilleas Mr. Big
- 1971 ยทBrain of Bloodas Dorro
- 1970 ยทAlex in Wonderlandas Fellini #1
- 1970 ยทPufnstufas Seymore Spider / Clang
- 1969 ยทH.R. Pufnstufas Seymore Spider
- 1967 ยทDoctor Dolittleas Dwarf (uncredited)
- 1967 ยทThe Tripas Dwarf in Forest Fantasy (uncredited)
- 1967 ยทThe Perils of Paulineas Pygmy Leader's Assistant
- 1966 ยทT.H.E. Catas Circus Dwarf (uncredited)
- 1965 ยทBrandedas Shooting Gallery Man (uncredited)
- 1964 ยทThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.as Blind Pencil Seller
- 1962 ยทRequiem for a Heavyweightas Midget Wrestler Outside Wrestling Ring (uncredited)
- 1962 ยทThe Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimmas Dwarf
- 1962 ยทConfessions of an Opium Eateras Newspaper Boy
- 1962 ยทThe Magic Swordas 2nd Dwarf
- 1961 ยทPocketful of Miraclesas Angie (uncredited)
- 1959 ยทThe Rebelas Godfrey
- 1959 ยทThe Wild and the Innocentas Midget (uncredited)
- 1958 ยทShirley Temple's Storybookas Mouse
- 1958 ยทShirley Temple's Storybookas Dwarf
- 1958 ยทThe Adventures of Super Pupas
- 1957 ยทThe Story of Mankindas Dwarf in Nero's Court
- 1957 ยทInvasion of the Saucer-Menas Saucer Man
- 1955 ยทDementiaas Newsboy (uncredited)
- 1955 ยทGunsmokeas Billy (uncredited)
- 1953 ยทMesa of Lost Womenas Dwarf Lab Assistant
- 1952 ยทThe Greatest Show on Earthas Dwarf
- 1950 ยทThe Bandit Queenas Nino
- 1950 ยทThe Baron of Arizonaas Angie -- Gypsy
- 1947 ยทScared to Deathas Indigo
- 1943 ยทThe Spider Womanas Obongo - Pygmy (uncredited)
- 1942 ยทReunion in Franceas Citizen in Bomb Shelter (uncredited)
- 1942 ยทThe Corpse Vanishesas Toby (as Angelo)
- 1941 ยทHellzapoppin'as Dwarf Devil (uncredited)
- 1941 ยทSpooks Run Wildas Luigi
- 1940 ยทDoomed to Dieas Newsboy #3 in Montage
- 1939 ยทThe Wizard of Ozas Munchkin Villager (uncredited)
- 1939 ยทMr. Wong in Chinatownas Mute Dwarf
- 1938 ยทChild Brideas Angelo
- 1934 ยทBabes in Toylandas Elmer - Second Little Pig / 1st Sandman in Cave
- 1933 ยทCarnival Ladyas Dwarf
- 1932 ยทFreaksas Angeleno
- 1930 ยทThe Big Houseas Inmate (uncredited)
- 1929 ยทThe Mysterious Islandas Underwater Creature
- 1929 ยทOne Stolen Nightas The Dwarf
- 1929 ยทSeven Footprints to Satanas The Dwarf
- 1928 ยทWhile the City Sleepsas Member of Skeeter's Gang
- 1927 ยทOld San Franciscoas Chang Loo - the Dwarf
- 1927 ยทThe Beloved Rogueas Beppo - the Dwarf