Albert Molinaro, the renowned actor and entrepreneur, was born on June 24, 1919, to Raffaele Molinaro and Teresa Marrone. His father, a water boy for a railroad crew, immigrated to the United States from Calabria, Italy, and later settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he met and married Albert's mother.
Albert's early life was marked by his parents' Italian heritage, with his father naming him after Prince Umberto II of Italy. His mother, however, chose the middle name Francisco, after Santo Francisco, as he was born on Saint Francis Day. The midwife, who had limited English skills, mistakenly added a feminine "A" to the end of his middle name, which was never corrected.
Growing up, Albert was the ninth of ten children, eight boys and two girls. He developed a strong work ethic from a young age, working at the Vincent-McCall furniture spring factory and later becoming a union leader at the age of 19. His career in the city government began when he was 20, serving as a special assistant to the Kenosha City Manager.
Albert's friend from Kenosha, Mills Tenuta, who had moved to Southern California to work in an aircraft plant, convinced him to pursue a career in Hollywood. Albert left his promising career in the city government to follow his dreams, taking on various jobs to make ends meet while pursuing his acting career.
Albert's early career in Hollywood was marked by his work as a live-action animator at George Pal's studios, where he spent two years. He also managed the M&G Grand Variety Store and became a bill collector for the Collection Agency of America. His success in bill collecting led him to become a salesman, procuring collection accounts for another agency, which he later purchased.
In his personal life, Albert married Jacqueline Martin in 1948 and they adopted a son, Michael Molinaro. The couple divorced in 1980, and Albert married Betty Sedillos in 1981. He had two step-children, Jim Sedillos and Victoria Sedillos, and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Albert's movie debut came when he was 25 years old, starring in the 1954 film "Love Me Madly." He later began producing live television shows for local stations, including "Insomnia," "Ski Show," "Star Finder," "Square Dance Party," and "The Tiny Late Show."
Albert's breakthrough in television came when he landed the role of Murray the Cop on the popular sitcom "The Odd Couple." He spent five years on the show and then joined the cast of "Happy Days," playing the role of the Malt Shop Owner. He remained on the show for 10 years, from 1974 to 1984, and also appeared in the spin-off series "Joanie Loves Chachi."
Throughout his career, Albert appeared in over 100 commercials, including a 10-year deal with Encore Frozen Foods. He also worked on industrial films and guest-starred on numerous television shows.
Albert's later years were marked by his struggle with Alzheimer's disease, which he was diagnosed with in the mid-1990s. Despite his illness, he continued to live a fulfilling life, enjoying his family and friends, and even taking on occasional acting roles.
Albert Molinaro passed away on October 30, 2015, at the age of 96, surrounded by his loved ones. His legacy as a talented actor, entrepreneur, and kind-hearted individual will be remembered for generations to come.
