RIP Abe Vigoda (and Abe Vi-Yoda), the legendary character actor

According to TMZ, legendary actor Abe Vigoda passed away today at the age of 94. Vigoda gained fame playing Sal Tessio in The Godfather but was perhaps best known for his role as Sgt. Phil Fish on the sitcom Barney Miller and its short-lived spinoff Fish

Vigoda was also famous for being misreported as dead. In 1982, People mistakenly referred to him as “the late Abe Vigoda.” Vigoda, in turn, posed in a coffin for a funny photo shoot holding the erroneous magazine copy. In 1987, a TV reporter in Secaucus, New Jersey also called Vigoda “late.” Since then, Vigoda mocked his strange press history in various appearances on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien's talk shows. Once he even got to scream at Letterman, “I'm not dead yet, you pinhead!” 

To honor the memory of Sgt. Fish, here's one of his many appearances with Conan O'Brien. Fast-forward to 7:20 to see him play a brand new Star Wars character named Abe Vi-Yoda. 

And if that's not enough, check out his unforgettable work in Joe Versus the Volcano. 

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