'Top Gun,' 'Beverly Hills Cop' actor Frank Pesce reportedly dies at 75: 'A force larger than life'

Frank Pesce, the character actor known for his appearances in "Top Gun," "Beverly Hills Cop" and several Sylvester Stallone titles, reportedly died earlier this month from complications of dementia. He was 75.

Pesce's girlfriend, Tammy Scher, confirmed the news on Wednesday to multiple outlets including Deadline and The Wrap.

Born Dec. 8, 1946, in New York City, Pesce was known for his big personality. He had lifelong friendships with several big-name actors including Stallone, Tony Danza and Robert Forster.

“Frank was a force larger than life or any fictional character, always entertaining, intriguing and fascinating," Scher said in a statement to Variety. "Unafraid to approach anyone and immediately make an acquaintance. Celebrities flocked to be near him as he had an encyclopedia of knowledge about music and movies."

His career onscreen began in the '70s as an extra on "The Godfather II" and a stand-in for Robert DeNiro in "Taxi Driver" and Frank Sinatra in "The First Deadly Sin," he told the Los Angeles Times in a 1991 interview. Early on, he also made guest appearances on shows including "Police Story" and "Kojak," and small roles in Stallone films "Rocky" and "Paradise Alley."

Pesce later went on to appear in films including "Top Gun," "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Grudge Match," and "The Expendables 3" as well as series "Miami Vice," "Hardcastle and McCormick," "Cagney & Lacey," "Matlock," "Who's The Boss?," "The Tony Danza Show," "Karen Sisco," and "Man Life Crisis."

In 1991, he wrote the film "29th Street," which chronicled his life as an Italian-American growing up in New York. Pesce played his real-life brother, Vito, while Anthony LaPaglia played Pesce.

His final role in a major film was as a gym doorman in 2018's "Creed."

Pesce is survived by his brother, Vito Pesce, nieces Vanessa and Danielle Pesce, and sister-in-law Catherine Pesce, according to reports. A burial service is scheduled for Friday in the Bronx.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Frank Pesce dead: 'Top Gun,' 'Beverly Hills Cop' actor was 75