Joseph V. Perry; Played Mobsters on TV

Joseph V. Perry, 69, character actor best known for playing mobsters in such series as “Barney Miller” and “Night Court.” A gifted comic and master of dialects, Perry received the 1949 Glenn Ford Award at Santa Monica High School and a UCLA Best Actor award in 1952. The actor worked steadily in such films as the 1965 epic “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and Don Knotts’ 1968 “The Shakiest Gun in the West.” Perry remained in demand over four decades for television roles. In addition to his colorful mobsters on police and detective series that included “Quincy,” Perry had roles in the series “Outer Limits,” “The Monkees,” “MASH,” “Cheers” and “Seinfeld.” Most recently, he was cast in the recurring role of Nemo in the popular “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Perry was also memorable in television commercials including portraying a rotund baseball player mimicking swimsuit model poses for Slim-Fast diet products. On Feb. 23 in Burbank.