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ACTOR FRANK MCRAE OF 'PARADISE ALLEY' PASSES AWAY

By Mike Johnson on 2021-05-05 21:34:00

Actor Frank McRae, who had a long film and television career, passed away today the age of 80 following a heart attack, Deadline.com reported.

After a career in the NFL, McRae pivoted to acting and was featured in the 1978 Sylvester Stallone film Paradise Alley, which Stallone wrote, directed and starred in.  Set in New York City's Hell's Kitchen in the 1940s, the film tells the story of two brothers who get involved in professional wrestling.  Named for a club in the film in which a wrestling ring is set up, the film featured McRae playing the role of Big Glory, the in-house wrestling champion in the club, who, if beaten, can earn Stallone and his brothers $100.

The film featured a slew of professional wrestlers, including Terry and Dory Funk Jr., Dick Murdoch, Ray Stevens and Don Leo Jonathan, among others.  The film, Stallone's follow-up to Rocky, did not hit at the box office and today is probably best remembered by wrestling fans for Terry Funk's turn as Frankie the Thumper.

McRae was probably best known for his loud, screaming role of Nick Nolte's police chief boss in 48 hours.

PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Frank McRae,

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