Ronald Joseph Cicenia, better known as Ron Carey, was a diminutive, Italian-American comedian with a nasal tone and mischievous appearance, perfectly suited for stand-up comedy and playing Brooklyn-esque characters in TV sitcoms and films. Born on December 11, 1935, in Newark, New Jersey, to a large Italian family, his father was a singing waiter. Ron earned a Bachelor's degree in communications from Seton Hall University in 1956, but soon shifted his focus to entertainment.
Ron's pint-sized frame, pushy attitude, and elastic face made him an ideal comedian, and he began his career in nearby New York, performing at comedy clubs like "The Improvisation". He gained recognition for his "little man" humor, built around Italian family and Roman Catholic "guilt" jokes. Ron's big break came on TV, making appearances on talk and variety shows hosted by notable personalities like Jack Paar, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Ed Sullivan, and Johnny Carson.
He also found success in commercials, playing feisty or hapless characters. Ron's film career began with "The Out of Towners" (1970),followed by "Who Killed Mary Whats'ername?" (1971) and "Made for Each Other" (1971). He appeared on Broadway in "Lovers and Other Strangers" (1968) and later earned success in Mel Brooks' films, including "Silent Movie" (1976),"High Anxiety" (1977),and "History of the World: Part I" (1981).
On TV, Ron was a regular on "The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show" (1972),leading to roles in "The Corner Bar" (1972) and "The Montefuscos" (1975). He landed a steady role on "Barney Miller" (1975),playing Carl Levitt, a brown-nosing patrolman who yearned to be a plainclothes detective. Ron stayed with the show until its cancellation in 1982.
Ron Carey died at the age of 71 in Los Angeles due to complications from a stroke, leaving behind his long-time wife Sharon.
