Green Book actor Frank Vallelonga has died at the age of 60 (Picture: Getty Images)
Actor Frank Vallelonga Jr has died at the age of 60 and a man has been charged in connection with the concealment of a corpse.
The star was best-known for his role in Oscar-winning film Green Book, based on the true story of a renowned Black pianist and his bodyguard as they tour America’s Deep South in the 60s during segregation.
In the film – which won three Academy Awards upon its release in 2019 – Vallelonga played his real-life uncle, Rudy Vallelonga.
It has now been confirmed that the body of the 60-year-old actor was found outside of a building in the Bronx area of New York earlier this week.
His manager, Melissa Prophet released a brief statement saying she could ‘sadly confirm this is true.’
The NYPD said the investigation ‘remains ongoing’ after they were alerted to an ‘unconscious male’ at 3.50am on Monday morning, and discovered the actor ‘unconscious and unresponsive, on the ground at the location.’
The actor, middle, was best-known for his role in acclaimed true-life film Green Book (Picture: Getty Images for AFI)
A cause of death has not been released but police have arrested a 35-year-old man, Steven Smith, who has been charged with concealment of a human corpse.
A spokesperson told the New York Post newspaper that Smith was allegedly seen on surveillance video dumping the body from a car outside a sheet-metal manufacturing factory.
He is said to have confessed to moving the body while being interrogated about another case that is currently under investigation.
However, Smith reportedly denied any involvement in the actor’s death, apparently insisting he had never met him before and he was ‘dead already.’
Vallelonga’s body seemingly showed no signs of obvious trauma and the medical examiner is working to establish a cause of death.
Sources apparently claimed to the outlet that preliminary findings suggested an overdose.
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At the time of his death, Vallelonga was believed to be working with his brother Nick Vallelonga – who also starred in Green Book and co-wrote and produced the film – on a new movie called That’s Amore.’
The actor has also appeared in the likes of TV series The Sopranos and The Neighbourhood.
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The shock discovery was made on Monday.
