Anthony Franciosa, stormy actor in 1950s and '60s dramas, dies at 77

Friday, January 20th 2006, 2:35 pm

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Anthony Franciosa, whose strong portrayals of moody, troubled characters made him a Hollywood star in the 1950s and '60s but whose combative behavior on movie sets hampered his career, has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 77.

Franciosa died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center after suffering a massive stroke, publicist Dick Guttman said. The actor's wife of more than 35 years, Rita, and other family members were present.

Franciosa was part of a new wave in the mid-20th century who revolutionized film acting with their introspective, intensely realistic approach to their roles. Most of them were schooled in the method acting of New York's Actors Studio. They included Marlon Brando, James Dean, Rod Steiger, Shelley Winters and Paul Newman.

Franciosa was once married to Winters, who died last weekend.