| Eddie Mekka | |
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 Eddie Mekka at a Chiller Theatre convention in 2005. |
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| Born | Rudolph Edward Mekjian June 14, 1952 Worcester, Massachusetts, United States |
| Years active | 1977–2009 |
| Spouse(s) | Yvonne Marie Grace (1994-present) 1 child DeLee Lively (1983-1992) (divorced) |
Eddie Mekka a.k.a. The Big Ragu is an American actor most famous for his role as Carmine Ragusa on the sitcom Laverne & Shirley.
Mekka was born Rudolph Edward Mekjian in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Mariam (née Apkarian), a presser, and Vaughn V. Mekjian.[1] He is of Armenian ancestry.
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 for Laverne & Shirley in 1976, acting on the series until it was canceled in 1983.
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Recent work
His recent television credits include "24," "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "The Bold and the Beautiful," and as Detective Murdoch in the Fox T.V. movie "Catch Me If You Can". He had a small role in the 1992 film "A League of Their Own" credits list him as "Mae's guy in bar".
On stage, he has performed in Hairspray at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada and in a national tour of Grease (musical) 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 (downstairs at 407 West 43rd Street). [2]
Mekka reunited with his L&S co-star Cindy Williams in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play "It Had to Be You". [3]
Legal Matters
On July 2, 2009, Eddie Mekka was arrested pursuant to a traffic collision in Las Vegas, NV. Officers administered field sobriety tests and subsequently placed Eddie Mekka under arrest for the misdemeanor offense of suspicion of driving under the influence.
References
In mid October of 2008, Eddie wrapped production in the independent film "Code Enforcer," scheduled for release in the summer of 2009. He stars opposite Erin Moran of "Happy Days."
External links
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