Nicholas Colasanto, cherished for his function as Coach Ernie Pantusso, died of a coronary heart assault at his Studio Metropolis, California, dwelling on February 12, 1985 on the age of 61.
Colasanto had been preventing coronary heart illness for the reason that mid-Nineteen Seventies, a situation worsened by his earlier battle with alcoholism.
Though he obtained sober in 1976, his well being steadily declined.
Throughout Cheers Season 3, solid members seen his dramatic weight reduction, however Colasanto saved the seriousness of his sickness below wraps.
After being hospitalized for fluid buildup in his lungs simply after Christmas 1984, medical doctors instructed him to not return to work.
After Colasanto’s dying, his character, Coach, was written off the present as having handed away, and Woody Boyd, performed by Woody Harrelson, was introduced in as his substitute.
As a heartfelt tribute, the producers hung a photograph of Geronimo – a very good luck attraction Colasanto saved in his dressing room – on the Cheers bar set.
The touching nod was quietly acknowledged within the sequence finale, when Malone (Danson) straightens the image earlier than turning off the lights for the ultimate time.