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Eddie Mekka
220px-Eddie Mekka
Name: Rudolph Edward Mekijan
Born: June 14, 1952
Birth Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
Died: November 27, 2021
Place of death: Newhall, California
Occupation: Actor
Years active: 1974–2018

Eddie Mekka (June 14, 1952 – November 27, 2021) was an American actor best known for his role as Carmine Ragusa on the hit television sitcom Laverne & Shirley.

Early life[]

Mekka was born Rudolph Edward Mekjian in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Italian mother Mariam and Armenian father Vaughn Mekjian. His mother was a presser and his father was a World War II veteran. He graduated from Burncoat High School and attended the Berklee College of Music.

Career[]

In the early 1970s, Mekka headed the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts, teaching young people how to sing. After performing on Broadway in The Lieutenant, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award, he moved to Los Angeles. He landed the role of Carmine 'The Big Ragoo' Ragusa for Laverne & Shirley in 1976, acting on the series until it was canceled in 1983.

Mekka starred in roughly 50 TV shows and movies throughout his career. His recent television credits include 24, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Bold and the Beautiful, and as Detective Murdoch in the Fox television movie Catch Me If You Can. He had a small role in the Penny Marshall-directed 1992 film, A League of Their Own as the dance partner of Mae (Madonna) in the bar.

On stage, he has performed in Hairspray at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada and in a national tour of Grease with Cindy Williams. Mekka returned to off-Broadway on July 15, 2008, starring in Steve Solomon's long-running comedy My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm In Therapy! at the Westside Theatre.

Mekka reunited with his Laverne & Shirley co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You.

In 2008, Mekka wrapped production in the independent film Code Enforcer. He starred opposite Erin Moran of Happy Days.

In 2010, Mekka starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, New York, from April 29 until June 20.

Personal life[]

Mekka was married to actress DeLee Lively from 1983 to 1992. He married Yvonne Marie Grace in 1994. Together they had one daughter, Mia. He died in Newhall, California, on November 27, 2021, at the age of 69.

Shows appeared[]

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