Renaldo Santoni (April 21, 1938 – August 1, 2020) was an American film, television and voice actor. He was noted for playing Poppie on the television sitcom Seinfeld, Tony Gonzales in Cobra, and Chico González in Dirty Harry.
Early life
Santoni was born in New York City on April 21, 1938. His family was of Corsican and Spanish descent. Santoni's ethnically ambiguous appearance allowed him to play roles from a variety of backgrounds, including Italian, Hispanic, and Jewish characters. He began his career in Off-Broadway theatre, writing the play Raisin' Hell in the Son which premiered in 1962.
Career
Santoni's first significant film role was an uncredited appearance in the 1964 film The Pawnbroker (starring Rod Steiger), His first leading role was as a young actor in Enter Laughing. Santoni went on to play Inspector "Chico" González in the 1971 film Dirty Harry. His character, who is a newcomer detective and college graduate in sociology, was initially dismissed by the title character as "a college boy".
Santoni again collaborated with Reiner in the comedic homage to film noir Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982).
Partial filmography
<small>Sources:</small>
- Strangers in the City (1962) – Scrounge
- The Pawnbroker (1964) – Junkie Selling Radio
- Enter Laughing (1967) – David Kolowitz
- A Great Big Thing (1968) – Vinny Shea
- Anzio (1968) – Pvt. Movie
- Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969) – Max
- The Student Nurses (1970) – Victor Charlie
- Dirty Harry (1971) – Inspector Chico Gonzalez
- I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) – Hobbs
- They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way (1978) – Billy Joe
- Hawaii Five-O (1978) Episode: "A Death in the Family" – Jimmy Rego
- Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) – Carlos Rodriguez
- Bad Boys (1983) – Ramon Herrera
- Brewster's Millions (1985) – Vin Rapelito
- Radioactive Dreams (1985) – 'Red' Hairstylist / Adult Harold
- Summer Rental (1985) – Announcer
- Cobra (1986) – Sergeant Tony Gonzales
- The Pick-up Artist (1987) – Man in Train Station
- Bright Lights, Big City (1988, voice)
- The Package (1989) – Chicago Police Lieutenant
- Cat Chaser (1989) – Narrator (voice, uncredited)
- Men Don't Tell (1992) – Rueben the Bartender
- Groundhog Day (1993) – voice of State Trooper
- The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) – Police Officer
- The Late Shift (1996) – John Agoglia
- Private Parts (1997) – Vallesecca
- Can't Hardly Wait (1998) – Cop
- Dr. Dolittle (1998) – voice of Rat #1
- 28 Days (2000) – Daniel
- Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) – voice of Rat #1
- Kingpin (2003, mini series) – General Valdez
- Gang Warz (2004) – Father Luis
- Irene in Time (2009) – Sam
TV series
- Miami Vice ("Badge of Dishonor") – Lt. Arturo Dominguez
- The Odd Couple (1970) – (season 1 Episode 15 "The Hideaway") Ernie Wilson, the football player
- Rockford Files 1979 episode "A Different Drummer" - cast as a knowledgeable mental patient
- CHiPs S5 - E25 (Overload) Computer thief - 1 episode (1982)
- Sanchez of Bel Air - (1986, 13 episodes) - Ricardo Sanchez
- Murder, She Wrote - 2 episodes (1989, 1994)
- Quantum Leap (2-part episode "Lee Harvey Oswald", title role; 1992)
- NYPD Blue (1995–1996, 3 episodes) - Det. Archie Solomon, Sal Campisi
- Seinfeld (1994 - 1998, 5 episodes) - Poppie
- Walker Texas Ranger (1996)
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) - Alan Griswold
- According to Jim (2002) - Season 2, Episode 4 - Tony