Do The Right Thing actor Danny Aiello dies at the age of 86 in New Jersey following 'sudden illness'

Danny Aiello, a veteran stage and film actor remembered for his roles in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo, has died at a New Jersey medical center at age 86. 

The popular character star, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Sal in Do The Right Thing, reportedly died on Thursday night ‘at a medical facility in New Jersey,’ according to TMZ.

He was being treated for a ‘sudden illness’ and ‘suffered an infection related to his treatment.’

Sad: Veteran actor Danny Aiello died on Thursday night following a sudden illness. He was 86; seen in 2016

The outlet reported that his family had recently visited him in the treatment center, and he died shortly after they had left. 

Danny is survived by his wife of more than six decades, Sandy Cohen, and three children: Rick, Jaime and Stacey. His son, Danny Aiello III died from pancreatic cancer in 2010.

Aiello is best known for his roles in Do The Right Thing, Moonstruck and Hudson Hawk. 

‘Danny was my client and a dear friend. He passed away last night. Danny was a rare talent who triumphed over incredible odds to become one of our greatest actors. He will be missed,’ literary agent Jennifer DeChiara said in a statement to NBC News.  

Legend: Aiello is best known for his roles in Do The Right Thing, Moonstruck and Hudson Hawk; seen in Do The Right Thing

Gone: The popular character star reportedly died on Thursday night ‘at a medical facility in New Jersey,’ according to TMZ; seen in 2017

Boss: He played Tony Rosato in Godfather Part II, and recited the infamous line: ‘Michael Corleone says hello!’

One of his earliest roles was working alongside Robert De Niro in the 1973 baseball drama, Bang the Drum Slowly.

He played Tony Rosato in Godfather Part II, and recited the infamous line: ‘Michael Corleone says hello!’ 

For Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing in 1989, Aiello earned a host of Best Supporting Actor awards and was also nominated for an Academy Award.

Boss: For Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing in 1989, Aiello earned a host of Best Supporting Actor awards and was also nominated for an Academy Award

Friends: Spike Lee took to Instagram to share a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps while working with Aiello on Do The Right Thing

Powerful: He portrayed a local pizzeria owner named Sal who had been in the same Brooklyn neighborhood for nearly three decades and experienced the rise of racial tension between neighbors, customers and his own family

He portrayed a local pizzeria owner named Sal who had been in the same Brooklyn neighborhood for nearly three decades and experienced the rise of racial tension between neighbors, customers and his own family.  

Lee took to Instagram to share a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps while working with Aiello on Do The Right Thing. 

‘I’m [heart] Broken. Just Found Out My Brother DANNY AIELLO Made His Transition Last Night,’ he wrote. ‘Danny, We Made Cinema History Together With DO THE RIGHT THING. May You Rest In PARADISE.’ 

Billy Baldwin posted a heartfelt tribute to ‘a true one of a kind’ talent.

‘From the Army to Greyhound labor rep to bouncer at The Improv to Hollywood stardom!! From Johnny in Moonstruck to Sal in Do The Right Thing,’ Baldwin wrote. ‘That smile, that laugh, that NY attitude. They don’t make ’em like Danny anymore.’ 

Best in the business: Billy Baldwin posted a heartfelt tribute to ‘a true one of a kind’ talent